Franchise Mode has long been a popular aspect of the annual Madden games, but EA Sports has added updates to make the mode more realistic in the last few years.
With gameplay buttoned up, Madden 23 had a focus on player acquisition and roster management, changing the way users could manage free agency while adding scouting improvements. Madden 23 also made contract negotiations more realistic, with money going from the only factor to one of many factors, including legacy and scheme fit considerations.
Anything that makes Franchise Mode more similar to actually managing an NFL franchise certainly seems like an upgrade, and EA has taken more steps toward that goal in Madden 24. Roster management is again a focus of this year's new features, but the draft and player development are two additional areas of emphasis.
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Here's what you need to know about the new Franchise Mode features in Madden 24.
Madden 24 Franchise Mode features
Madden 24 includes six central new features for Franchise Mode.
Training camp
Training camp is returning to Franchise Mode, and that means the arrival of several mini games. New mini games include target passing, field goal accuracy and trench battle.
EA's website says training camp was one of the most requested features, describing the addition as a way to "give you the opportunity to improve your roster by running some of your players through a series of mini-games."
Trade upgrades
Changes to the trade system arguably represent the biggest overhaul among the new Franchise Mode features. Users can now include as many as six draft picks in a trade, and there are now six trade slots rather than three. Users also can now trade draft picks from various years, both from the current year and future years.
As blockbuster trades become more prominent around the NFL, it only makes sense that EA is making it easier to pull off major deals in Franchise Mode.
Weekly strategy
Weekly strategy gives users more of an opportunity to prepare for each week's matchup. The upgrade allows users to choose which offensive and defensive gameplans to focus on, and it also allows users to develop "focus players" through mini games much like they can in training camp.
Between those two new features, users are gaining more control over the development of players and might be able to better develop players they select outside of the first round.
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Draft class settings
Keeping the draft in mind, users will now have more control over the strength of each draft class. By choosing from a handful of options, users can decide whether a particular draft class is very weak, very strong, or anything in between. That choice will determine how many high-level prospects are available.
Salary camp management
Users now have more control over roster management with two new additions.
Fifth-year options are available for players, much like they are for first-round picks in the NFL. Like in the NFL, fifth-year options can't be picked up until the player is three seasons into his career.
Users can also now restructure players' contracts, giving them the same path to salary cap relief as NFL general managers frequently use.
