The biggest difference between Madden 23 and Madden 22 franchise mode is the new scouting system, free agency logic, and staff management
Madden NFL 23 has introduced some major changes to franchise mode this year that enhance the realism, challenge, and engagement. From the long-awaited scouting overhaul to the improved logic guiding free agency decisions, franchise veterans will need to adapt to find the same success. After largely being overlooked in recent years, franchise mode seems to finally be getting some love.
Overview of Key Franchise Mode Changes
Here‘s a high-level summary of the most impactful changes to franchise in Madden 23:
Scouting system – The scouting system has been completely overhauled with a new process focused on scouts, regions, combines, and more.
Free agency logic – Players now have "motivations" that guide their free agency decisions in a more realistic manner.
Staff management – You can now spend XP to upgrade your coaching staff and specialize in key areas.
The Scouting System Forces You to Scout Smarter
The new scouting system in Madden 23 franchise mode aims to make drafting less about cheating the system and more about scouting smart. Instead of fully revealing hidden gems, you now must commit scouts to different regions and positions.
| Madden 23 | Madden 22 |
|---|---|
| Assign scouts to focus on specific regions and positions | Fully reveal hidden gems with enough scouting |
| Complete scout assignments and combine events | Rely on publicly available big boards |
| Assess raw physical traits and abilities first | Instantly see rookie ratings and dev trait |
According to EA‘s Gridiron Notes, the changes make scouting "more challenging and rewarding." No longer can you find any diamond in the rough – you need to make calculated decisions about where to allocate limited resources.
Early impressions from players highlight both the increased realism and difficulty imposed by the new system:
"It finally feels like actual scouting. Pre-draft rankings seem more random and landing a star feels more rewarding."
Reddit user JimmyC_33
"The extra challenge came as a surprise…it forced me to be more judicious with picks."
Sports Gamers Online
To scout optimally under the new system, you‘ll need to master the yearly scouting calendar and judiciously manage your scouts. Send scouts to loosely follow prospects in different regions, pinpoint their athletic traits and abilities first, then dig deeper on the most promising ones through further drills and interviews.
The new combine event is also crucial – invite only your top prospects and assess their true athletic upside through fully simulatable tests. With every prospect now needing to be scouted manually, it pays dividends to trim down your big board in advance rather than sift through 600+ prospects come draft day.
Ultimately through careful planning and savvy investments, you can still land steals in the late rounds. But the days of effortlessly finding sixth-rounders with instant superstar potential seems to be over. We‘ll need to adapt our strategies and drafting philosophies to account for the increased uncertainty – and isn‘t overcoming new challenges what franchise mode is all about?
Free Agency Finally Makes Sense with Player Motivations
The logic underlying free agency decisions has baffled Madden players for years. But with the introduction of player motivations in Madden 23, signing that coveted star might come down to more than just money and team quality – their unique backstory matters too.
As per EA, player motivations "give more context to the free agents by telling a story of why they desire to sign with certain teams." Imagine a declining veteran QB preferring to sign with a contender for one last shot at glory. Or a WR looking to play in his home state.
| Madden 23 | Madden 22 |
|---|---|
| Free agents have unique motivations | Decisions based on ratings/money |
| Context for signings based on backstories | Illogical moves in free agency |
| Sign players by appealing to motivations | Sign whoever you can afford |
Early testing reveals substantial differences with past years:
"Veterans act their age – they care more about winning now than money or playing time."
Sports Gamers Online
"Had to fight off 5 teams just to keep my star WR…his motivation to play close to home really factored in."
Reddit user MF_Price
To master free agency in Madden 23, you‘ll need to identify prospect motivations and pitch them on why your situation suits them best:
- Win-now veterans – pitch playtime, chance to win the Super Bowl
- Hometown players – emphasize location and family
- Money-focused – offer lucrative incentive-loaded contracts
Free agency finally looks to have the dynamism and uniqueness befitting a mode called "franchise". There are so many stories waiting to unfold through the new motivations system and not enough years to experience them all. Which talented-but-troubled player will you take a chance on next?
Staff Management Opens up New Possibilities
Another long-requested franchise feature finally introduced in Madden 23 – staff management. For the first time, we can spend XP to upgrade the ratings of our coordinators and position coaches to elite levels. And finding the right schemes and specialists for your roster has never been more important with the improved weekly strategy.
| Madden 23 | Madden 22 |
|---|---|
| Spend XP to improve coordinator & position coach ratings | Static staff ratings |
| Higher coach ratings provide greater XP yields | No control over upgrades |
| Find coaches that fit your roster andschemes | Generic coaching schemes |
Early impressions show the beginnings of a deep staff management meta-game:
"I was amazed at how tailored I could make my staff to complement the roster…"
Simmons on Operation Sports
"Hiring defensive specialists to max my pass rush really made an impact…felt like I was building a coaching dream team!"
Reddit user coachtye
To exploit staff management in franchise, you‘ll want to start managing coordinators like the true roster assets they now are:
- Initially hire scheme fits – vertical passing OC for speedy receivers
- Develop coaches focused on your team strengths – pass rush specialist at DC
- Merge coach upgrades with player progression for exponential gains
The specialized weekly strategy upgrades represent yet another new dimension to master. Will you develop a physical, run-stuffing identity? Or an aggressive blitz-heavy pass rush? Now the choice is yours.
Staff management‘s debut brings tangible strategic choice to franchise while deepening the world‘s immersion. We‘re no longer just faceless GMs – we manage full coaching staffs with adaptable styles too. After years of treading water, franchise mode seems to finally be moving in an exciting new direction again.
