Free agency in Madden, much like in real life, is about to get a lot more complicated.
In recent years, whether a player in Madden signs with a team revolves solely around money. And while money is the biggest influence on where a player goes in real life, more than ever people understand a myriad of factors play into where players end up.
Whether it's for personal reasons like proximity to home, aspirational reasons like Super Bowl odds, or Xs and Os reasons like scheme fit, every player values something different that leads them to a team. Madden 23 is trying to bring those motivations into the virtual world as well.
While the science behind this undoubtedly isn't perfect, it's certainly an interesting way to add personality to franchise mode and the avatars within it.
What are Player Motivations in Madden 23?
Player motivations are exactly what they sound like: What motivates a player to join a team in free agency.
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While money will hang over any given deal, some players want a championship whereas others want playing time and still others want to be in a situation where they personally can succeed. Still, others might want to play in a warm weather city or a storied franchise. Any number of things can determine who goes where.
Each player has as many as three motivations listed in decreasing order of importance. In other words, No. 1 is the main motivation and No. 3 is the third-most important. Madden 23 has 12 motivations to date.
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Super Bowl Chase
Players who favor Super Bowl chasing are looking for a ring. They're usually players in the twilight of their career who want to get a Super Bowl before they retire. While ring chasing is more prevalent in the NBA, it can also make appearances in the NFL.
Think Von Miller to the Rams last year and the Bills this season. He's a player who values winning, and it helps to inform his choices. While not a perfect example -- the Bills gave Miller a remarkably player-friendly contract this offseason, albeit one without a ton of guaranteed money -- he's someone who will undoubtedly have Super Bowl chase high on his priorities in free agency.
Historic Championships
Players looking for historic championships want to play on franchises with a legacy. They want to feel they're part of something bigger and they're going to a place with a history of success.
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This applies to teams more than it does players, as the number of franchises this applies to is relatively small. If you're someone looking to land players with this motivation, you'd better be playing with the Patriots, 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, or Packers. These are the teams who have some of the most storied NFL pasts.
Head Coach Historic Record
Some players just want to play for a coach who wins. This is another one that will be based on team, unless players manage to make major coaching signings down the road.
Bill Belichick is, of course, the poster child for head coach historic record. But other coaches, such as Sean McVay, Mike Tomlin, and John Harbaugh, have also made their bones in this regard.
Close To Home
Some players just want to be by where they grew up. This motivation is deeply personal and circumstantial and depends solely on the player.
Take the Saints, for example. They have Jarvis Landry and Tyrann Mathieu on their roster this season, and that's partially because of their LSU roots. These players came home.
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Warm Weather State
Sometimes, you can't compete with geography. Warm weather state players will gravitate to Southern California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, or anywhere else in the South. Enough said.
Scheme Fit
This is another one that is dependent upon the player.
Don't expect to see Kyler Murray trying to play for Mike Vrabel. The scheme has to fit the player.
In essence, a player wants to succeed. That means playing to their strengths. If a quarterback moves out of the pocket well, he'll want someone who can maximize that skillset.
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Big Market
This one is arguably a little redundant alongside historic championships, but big markets mean endorsements.
Players want to play on teams that will make them seen. The Cowboys, the 49ers, the Steelers. These teams are internationally known. Expect players who value big markets to gravitate towards those types of teams. It's no accident they're also teams with historical success.
No Income Tax
Raiders, Cowboys, Texans, Seahawks, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Dolphins.
Nevada, Texas, Washington, and Florida all don't have income tax. It's your time to shine.
Top Of The Depth Chart
Some players want assurances they'll see the field, so they'll value topping out the depth chart.
This means winning doesn't necessarily come first, but personal success is valuable to these players.
They want a chance to play and make plays. Simple enough.
Highest Offer
Most money. Most years. Most guaranteed money. There's not much to say about this one outside of C.R.E.A.M.
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Mentor At Position
Not everyone is ready to start out of the gate.
Getting a mentor at a position can get players a chance to succeed. So a young quarterback who doesn't necessarily have much of a future with the team he was on may seek out another backup role. The Colts are an example of a team who may attract a young quarterback prospect who values this.
Team Has Franchise QB
In the NFL, franchise quarterbacks are at a premium.
A team with a franchise QB who makes everyone around him better has a valuable recruiting tool at its disposal.
Look at what Tom Brady did just by coming out of retirement for Tampa. He attracted nearly everyone back to the team in free agency and got a few guys of his own. Franchise quarterbacks are important, and free agency continues to teach us this.
