With the 2021-22 NFL season over, the anticipation is already rising fast among gridiron fans for the release of Madden NFL 23. If you’re one of those Madden gamers that commit to buying each game ahead of every new season, this article is for you. We’ll look at the possible cover athletes for the next release, the expected release date, and the new features to get stuck into on launch day.
The likely cover athlete for Madden 23
Madden NFL 22 featured dual cover athletes, with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes both selected due to their impressive respective seasons and runs into the postseason. Aside from this pair, quarterback options look somewhat slim, with EA Sports unlikely to pick Mahomes or the U-turning Brady for back-to-back releases. Green Bay Packers’ veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a possible choice.
However, when it comes to prime candidates to be the cover athlete of Madden NFL 23, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is a standout pick. The Super Bowl LVI’s MVP led the charge for the Rams, helping them to their first Lombardi Trophy since the 1999-2000 season. The Rams are considered fourth favorites with FanDuel Sportsbook to make it back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 2023, with the operator pricing them at +1100 in their Super Bowl futures market.
It’s also possible that John Madden himself could be used as the cover athlete of Madden NFL 23. Madden passed away on December 28, 2021, at the age of 85. The man so many people still know as “Coach” has left a lasting legacy in the world of gridiron, and it would be a fitting tribute to the great man from EA Sports.
When can we expect Madden 23 to drop?
In terms of the release date of Madden 23, there is no official date yet. With the latest versions set to launch well in advance of the new NFL season, you can anticipate its release by mid-August. Some reports have suggested it could be August 19, 2022. It has been known for new releases to drop much sooner than that. Madden 22 arrived on our shelves as recently as June 17, 2021. Meanwhile Madden 21 also launched on June 16, 2020.
Madden NFL 22 was the first “next-gen” release for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Most gaming analysts believe it was a modest step into the next generation of gaming, with plenty more to be done in Madden 23. We’re not just talking about enhanced presentation and more immersive graphics than ever before. Below we’ve mentioned some of the features that EA should explore in more detail to refine this best-selling franchise.
- More intelligent AI to combat repetitive plays
Some Madden 22 players have grown frustrated at their ability to manipulate the AI to dominate with certain selective plays. EA needs to work hard on reimagining its AI to wise-up to repetitive plays, encouraging AI coaches and teams to devise ways of battling a human player’s threat. - Heightened emphasis on home field advantage
Playing on home soil should be a huge benefit to teams. You only have to look at the raucous atmosphere that the Green Bay Packers’ fans make to see how much of an advantage they give their team. EA should revisit its home field advantage system to make it harder for teams to make an impact during road games. - Tweaked scouting suite for rookie athletes
In Madden 22, the Franchise scenario was given a new scouting suite, enabling gamers to take charge of recruiting rookies. The system lacked key attributes on up-and-coming athletes, with players given no data on a rookie receiver’s catching attributes, for example. - Bring greater depth to the Franchise scenario feature
The Franchise scenario has been a much-celebrated addition to recent Madden NFL releases. However, many feel it could do with more depth. Although it is engaging enough for a couple of seasons, it starts to get a bit “samey”. A host of new storylines would be most welcome to keep this scenario game engine alive.
