Madden NFL 26 players will soon have a new update to sink their teeth into, as EA Sports shared details about the game's September 17 Title Update. The Madden NFL 26 patch will focus on coaching adjustments in response to player feedback and fix some issues with the game's visuals and AI-controlled player behaviors.
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The fourth Title Update for Madden NFL 26 will launch nearly three weeks after the August 28 content patch, which included three European stadiums for players to choose as a game venue. The main gameplay adjustments focused on improving the Cover 2 and Cover 4 defensive schemes, as defenders can now maintain slightly better leverage against receivers in the middle of the field during long yardage situations. The late August patch for Madden NFL 26 also introduced an offensive playbook called Benkert's Dimes, made in collaboration with content creator Kurt Benkert. The playbook will receive updates throughout the NFL season.
Just two weeks into the 2025-26 NFL regular season, Madden NFL 26 showcased what players can expect in its next Title Update. The content patch goes live on Wednesday, September 17, on all major platforms. After downloading and installing the update, Madden NFL 26 players will notice a few changes to the game. A new coaching adjustment will enable players to set a default pass protection scheme tailored to their play styles. This change is similar to one included in EA Sports College Football 26's September 11 title update, which should provide some consistency across both sports simulators. An issue with the pass protection adjustment menu that caused it to get stuck and remain open will be fixed in the September 17 patch.
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Additional changes will also be made to improve the audio and visual effects for various stadiums. Some minor animation quirks will also be fixed, including a bug that saw Bills QB and 99 Club member Josh Allen utilize a bread loaf ball-carrying style during read option plays. Some stability fixes for online play will also be implemented, with a focus on improving desynchronization in 6v6 and Sick Six game modes.
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Some issues with Madden NFL 26's Franchise Mode are also being addressed, including one that allows specific players to play out of position. EA Sports stated that an issue with wear and tear sliders not appearing in Franchise Mode will be fixed in a future update, but did not provide a time frame for when that would happen.
Madden NFL 26 Title Update Patch Notes (September 17, 2025)
Gameplay
Pass Blocking
Added a new Coaching Adjustment option allowing you to set your default pass protection scheme—choose from Base, Empty, Half Left, Full Left, Half Right, Full Right or Default.Dev Note: For players who don’t want built-in pass protections on passing plays, we have included a new Coaching Adjustment to allow players to choose the default protection for all dropback passing plays. When toggling this option in, players will still have the ability to change their protection before the play via the Pass Protection adjustments menu.
Fixed an issue sometimes causing the pass protection adjustment menu to get stuck in an open state after selecting a protection adjustment.
Made improvements to blocking logic for better targeting and improved protection on Shotgun Play Action plays
Tuning done to shorten the wait time after failed pass rush moves to improve pocket degradation over time.
Enhanced QB Contain logic to ensure defenders contain more effectivelyDev Note: This was a two-part fix where we fixed disengages from blocks and pursuit of quarterbacks scrambling outside the pocket. For the second part, we resolved an issue where defenders would incorrectly abandon their Contain assignments in favor of executing pass rush moves.
Addressed an issue with pass rush move selection logic to reduce excessive use of Rip moves and ensure more realistic, ratings-driven defender behavior.
Run Game
Fixed an issue allowing a short, artificial speed boost to the ball carrier when using Truck in open space (Air Truck).Dev Note: The truck animations and transitions from truck to locomotion have been modified to more accurately reflect the movement speed of the ball carrier as the truck ends, and the transition has been tuned to keep the speed more consistent.
Fixed an issue causing Duo run plays to be mislabeled as Inside Zone plays.
Decreased the frequency of power non-engaged sheds on run plays.
Added shed timers for defenders who lost their previous defensive move on passing plays.
Edge defenders now steer towards their outside gap for longer to help set the edge on run plays
Passing Game
Increased the minimum for ‘stemmed down’ routes from 1 yard to 3 yards.Dev Note: When using the route-stemming feature, certain stemmed-down routes, particularly Corner Routes, became too powerful and difficult to fairly and/or realistically defend. As a result, the minimum stem-depth allowed now is 3 yards. The intent of this change is to preserve the structure and timing of the route, while enabling more realistic and balanced defensive reactions.
Resolved an issue where auto-motion receivers would continue their motion during the Quiet the Crowd animation, users can no longer Quiet the crowd during auto-motion.
Fixed an issue preventing behind-the-line special moves from working when using Gadget players in the QB spot in Wildcat formations.
Fixed an issue causing WR’s to sometimes use fake-out footwork off the snap with no defender nearby.
Fixed an issue preventing the appropriate frequency of catch-knockouts when throwing to a receiver covered by multiple defenders.Dev Note: This was the main issue leading to receivers holding onto aggressive catches too much in crowds when the ball should have been knocked out. With this update, outcomes on aggressive catch attempts now more accurately reflect the ratings and physical matchups of the players involved when there is collision at the catch point.
Fixed an issue causing illegal man-downfield penalties to trigger incorrectly on certain play-action boot plays.
Fixed an issue causing no-look passing animations to sometimes trigger on quick throws, like bubble screens.
Pass Coverage
Added a new Coaching Adjustment setting to set the safeties depth at 16 yards.
Updated hook-defender depth with underneath coverage adjustment to play at 5 yards of depth to be in better position to play short routes like drag routes.
Updated hook-defender depth with over-the-top coverage adjustment to play at 12-18 yards of depth to put defenders in better position to take away deeper intermediate routes like deep Digs and Over routes.
Updated vertical-hook zone logic so that it will not match when using coaching adjustments or custom-stem zones.
Updated press-animation logic to ensure defenders trigger press animations requested by the user at the line of scrimmage.
Fixed an issue in Goal Line defense causing the receiver in heavy-personnel formations to be completely uncovered.
Pre-Play Controls
Updated logic so the offense cannot instantly flip the play or audible to a new formation when walking to the line from the huddle
Standardized the hot route timer for all QB’s when breaking the huddle.Dev Note: This new timer also applies to how long users need to wait after flipping a play or audibling to a new formation. Stemming a route also counts as a hot route when breaking the huddle. Signature animations for players like Mahomes now have consistent responsiveness resulting in all quarterbacks having the same hot route timing cadence.
Fixed an issue preventing under-center QBs from queuing more than two hot routes at a time.
Fixed an issue causing the TE to motion awkwardly on a series of plays within Gun Y Off Trips Wk (Mtn Y Corner, RPO Alert Mtn Dive, Mtn Shock H Opt)
Fixed an issue preventing the hot-route stem controls from appearing when using mouse & keyboard controls on PC.
Fixed hot route stem control not appearing when using keyboard and mouse.
Tuning to improve avoidance by WR’s in motion at the snap.
AI & Game Logic
Tuning to the Bills Homefield Advantage to reduce excessive kick-meter wobble.
Tuning to improve AI-controlled teams’ clock management, preventing it from calling timeouts right before punting when losing by a large margin.
Fixed an issue sometimes causing a crash when setting QB Throw Style.
Fixed an issue in Goal Line defense causing the receiver in heavy-personnel formations to be completely uncovered.
Fixed a rare issue causing some players in online rosters to appear with generic player models and wearing the incorrect uniform numbers, such as multiple players wearing #11 or #22.
Animation & Visuals
Adjusted Small Agile Back hit stick animations to look more realistic and grounded.
Fixed an issue sometimes causing defenders to warp back to their feet when mid-lunge in tackling.
Fixed an issue allowing late hurdle attempts to cause missed tackles.
Fixed an issue causing Josh Allen to use the incorrect ball-carry style (bread loaf) on read option plays.
Playbooks
Fixed an issue causing the ball to warp on specific Pistol formation handoffs.
Fixed an issue causing the ball to warp when cancelling the handoff on PA Sprint HB Flat plays.
Fixed an issue causing a fumble when snapping the ball in Gun Bunch TE Str MTN RPO Peak Flats.
Fixed a rare issue causing the ball to be snapped well behind the QB on various Pistol and Gun Jet Sweep plays.
Fixed an issue allowing an unnatural speed boost on the In-Corner route within Gun Bunch Offset Close Mesh Rebound, which made it unbalanced.
Presentation
Broadcast PackagesFixed issue with missing stats in the Last Week Stats banner after a bye week.
Fixed issue with Stat Leaders banner for pass yards disappearing too quickly.
Fixed issue preventing Draft Class banner from appearing during a Sunday Night Primetime game.
NFL TraditionsFixed a camera issue for the Cardinals’ Big Red Siren tradition.
Halftime ShowFixed issue with missing highlights after using the Resume Game option.
Fixed an inconsistency with a score shown during a highlight from a game in progress and the subsequent Around the League banner.
Halftime Show / Weekly RecapFixed lighting pop that would sometimes occur at the end of a highlight.
Tuned logic for highlight selection from a game in progress to reduce the chances of seeing the losing team.
Tuned logic to prevent non-scrambling QBs from being shown performing long runs.
Fixed CPU highlight showing right-handed QB throwing left-handed touchdown.
Weekly RecapFixed issue preventing Weekly Recap from being available during the playoffs when a user’s team did not make the playoffs.
PregameFixed issue with an out-of-focus camera for the Falcon statue at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Fixed issue with fog sometimes obstructing mascots during runouts.
Fixed various camera obstructions and clipping issues with sideline characters.
Drive StarterFixed a broken camera when showing the Stat Leaders banner for a wide receiver.
Fixed issue with Drive Starter sometimes appearing before Drive Summary when a turnover occurs in Superstar: The League.
Post PlayFixed an issue sometimes causing players to appear on the wrong sideline.
Fixed an issue causing the camera to linger too long after completing a MUT Challenge in one play.
Franchise
Fixed an issue where certain Players would be playing out of position.Dev Note: This issue was tied to the Progressive Fatigue setting, we have removed the setting as we’ve introduced Wear and Tear Management. We are also addressing an issue where Wear and Tear sliders are not in Franchise and looking to implement them in a future title update
Fixed an issue with the Nose Tackle archetype's OVR formula that was causing it to appear different from the front end.Dev Note: For new leagues this change will apply immediately. For existing leagues, the formula will apply immediately and for players that had Nose Tackle as their highest rated archetype previously, will appear with their new Nose Tackle OVR until the week is advanced where their highest OVR will be correct.
Fixed an issue where some draft generators were using wrong body types.Dev Note: The change will not apply to existing leagues until the next draft class is generated.
Addressed an issue with Importing and Exporting Draft Classes were incorrectly changing Player Body TypesDev Note: This update will not address existing Draft classes already in a league.
Addressed an issue where Tight Ends were able to acquire the Universal Coverage Zone Ability
Addressed an issue where Players sustaining a Low Back Strain Injury was treated as a Career Ending Injury
Fixed an issue where coaches and trainers were unlocking abilities in the wrong order
Addressed an issue where the WILL position was prioritized over the SAM position in the Depth Chart when using the reorder feature
Dev Note: We are aware of an existing case when a Head Coach leaves a league, the CPU automatically promotes the teams’ existing Offensive or Defensive coordinator without hiring a backfill. We are investigating the issue to be addressed in a future title update.
Superstar Mode
Fixed an issue where Season stats were not accessible
Adjusted QB Combine drills
Resolved an issue where selected Gear would appear on the wrong uniform
Ultimate Team
Field Pass, Progression & Rewards
Fixed an issue that prevented certain objectives from appearing in the Field Pass and Team Pass tabs.
Resolved multiple soft lock scenarios when purchasing the Premium Field Pass or entering rewards screens.
Corrected a visual bug where Season 1 Field Pass art would replace Season 2 while active.
Reward icons and token/coin rewards now display consistently across New Items Flow and Rewards Flow.
Lineups & Team Management
Corrected an issue where punters and kickers displayed inflated OVR values when placed at QB.
Fixed chemistry and strategy boosts not displaying correctly, ensuring lineup synergies are accurate.
Improved substitution logic and lineup refresh behavior to prevent errors when managing rosters.
Store & Packs
Restored the “Open Next Pack” callout in reward flows, improving pack-opening speed.
Fixed an issue where packs included inside other rewards were not visible.
Pack Helper tuned to prioritize lineup improvements correctly, avoiding cases where it would recommend removing useful players.
Challenges, Events & H2H
Addressed blockers in Gauntlet events that prevented progress from tracking correctly.
Fixed a bug in H2H Seasons where winning the Super Bowl did not end the season as intended.
Leaderboards now display correctly, fixing issues with empty or undefined rank values.
Corrected star reward tracking in Legendary Challenge packs to ensure proper rewards.
Stability & Disconnects
Fixed multiple soft locks in NUX scenarios, Field Pass purchases, and Preseason Events.
Addressed crashes when loading into Squads crossplay sessions with multiple PC players.
Corrected disconnects during ready-up transitions in H2H and Squads lobbies.
Resolved desyncs in 6v6 and Sick Six modes.
Audio
New music added: Limp Bizkit - “Morgan Wallen”
Fixes for various issues: in-game commentary firing improperly, stadium music adjustments, SFX volume adjustments, mix adjustments for the Halftime Show, & a fix for unintended audio dropouts when adjusting unrelated volume sliders.
UI
Fixed crash when entering Custom Playbooks
Fixed issue with avatar portraits not showing in the Halftime Report
Fixed issues with some in-game banners not showing data or showing incorrect data and other various polishDev Note: This will also include occasionally seeing ‘Eagles vs Chiefs’ in the scorebug during certain moments.
Fixed double score HUD showing after calling a timeout after a play
Korean currency now supported on Switch 2
Fixed issues with Download/Preview/Report function in Download Center
Added and updated various player, coach and avatar portraits
Art
Added additional NFL Player & Coach Likeness Heads:49ers DL Mykel Williams
Bears WR Luther Burden III
Bengals LB Demetrius Knight
Bengals EDGE Shemar Stewart
Bills CB Maxwell Hairston
Broncos CB Jahdae Barron
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka
Cardinals CB Will Johnson
Chargers RB Omarion Hampton
Chiefs OT Josh Simmons
Dolphins DT Kenneth Grant
Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith
Eagles LB Jihaad Campbell
Giants QB Jaxson Dart
Jets OT Armand Membou
Jets TE Mason Taylor
Lions OT Taylor Decker
Lions DT Tyleik Williams
Packers WR Matthew Golden
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson
Rams TE Terrance Ferguson
Ravens S Malaki Starks
Saints QB Tyler Shough
Seahawks TE Elijah Arroyo
Seahawks S Nick Emmanwori
Seahawks G Grey Zabel
Steelers DT Derrick Harmon
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
Texans WR Jayden Higgins
Added New CleatsNike Vapor Edge Speed 360 2
Added New FacemasksAxiom Robot Jagged 2
Axion Grid
Axiom Robot 808
Axiom Robot RB Jagged 2
Axiom 3 Bar RB
Axiom Robot RB Straight
Added 2 New Coach Wristbands
Added New Undershirt w/4 Color Options