Madden’s Connected Franchise mode has been incredibly flawed over the last several years, but that hasn’t stopped gamers from picking up the sticks and trying to take their favorite NFL team to the promised land. In fact, one of the better things EA has done over the last several years to CFM is to give gamers the opportunity to decide where to start their franchise.
As the 2022 NFL season progressed, EA slowly updated their live content, allowing gamers to start at different portions of the season. With one of their final updates of the year, folks can now choose to pick up the NFL season in Week 17. This opens up a lot more possibilities because now you can think about some of the most intriguing teams to control this offseason. Whether you want a rebuild, a retool, or to tweak a contender, I’m here to offer up some teams I think would be especially fun to GM this offseason.
Here are five teams I think would be the most fun to take over in Week 17 (or Wild Card Weekend) using Madden 23’s Connected Franchise mode.
Jacksonville Jaguars
One of the most dangerous teams in the entire NFL down the season’s final stretch was Doug Pederson’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Starting a franchise with Duval’s finest in Week 17 gives you a chance to make a run in the postseason and time to get acclimated to your new team. A new team that is loaded from top to bottom with offensive firepower. Offensively, guys like Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, and Calvin Ridley make the team one of the deadliest in Madden 23.
The offensive line has talent, especially with superstar guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Jawaan Taylor. The Jags’ defense is no slouch either, with playmakers like Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd, there are a lot of talented players to build around. Cap space isn’t the best, but with a few tweaks to the roster, Jacksonville is set up for long-term success. Oh, and they also get to play in the AFC South.
- Overall Rating: 81
- Offense Rating: 83
- Defense Rating: 89
- Star Players: Trevor Lawrence, Brandon Scherff (Superstar), Christian Kirk, Travis Etienne
- Cap Space: $-16,200,674
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have the #1 overall pick, and as I detailed in my DeAndre Hopkins article, they also have an obscene amount of cap space. Factor into the equation that their quarterback, Justin Fields, is one of the most explosive in the NFL, and the Bears (IMO) are one of the top teams to start a franchise with in Madden 23. After all, dual-threat quarterbacks have taken the NFL by storm over the last several years, and we can all attest to how deadly they are in Madden.
Having a young franchise quarterback to build around and nearly $100M in cap space, AND the top overall pick!? You won’t have a chance to make a playoff push in 2022 — like you might be able to with some of these other teams — but very few teams have more long-term flexibility than the Bears. This. Is. The. Way.
- Overall Rating: 77
- Offense Rating: 79
- Defense Rating: 75
- Star Players: Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Jaylon Johnson, Cody Whitehair
- Cap Space: $98,841,200
Miami Dolphins
Maybe I’m a bit of a homer, but I think the Miami Dolphins are one of the most exciting teams to control in Madden 23. After all, the offense is loaded with explosive skill playmakers, including wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and speedy running back Raheem Mostert. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is finally starting to see his ratings increase and is low-key dangerous in the short and intermediate passing game. However, whether or not he’s your long-term starter is entirely up to you.
Left tackle Terron Armstead is a superstar presence on the offensive line. An offensive line that has solid starters in Robert Hunt and Connor Williams. Defensively, Miami has up-and-coming superstars like Jevon Holland, Jaelan Phillips, and Christian Wilkins. And we already know cornerback Xavien Howard is shut down in Madden. The Dolphins may not have a first-round pick, and their salary cap situation isn’t the best, but the Dolphins would be my choice if I were starting a CFM in Week 17.
- Overall Rating: 83
- Offense Rating: 83
- Defense Rating: 83
- Star Players: Tyreek Hill (X-Factor), Xavien Howard (Superstar), Terron Armstead (Superstar)
- Cap Space: $-15,311,674
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has failed to live up to the hype in recent years, and part of the reason has been the offense’s inability to stay healthy. Nevertheless, the Cardinals are one of my favorite teams in Madden 23 when starting a franchise. QB1, Kyler Murray, is still enjoyable in Madden as his versatility is as dangerous as any player around. Unfortunately, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins wants out of Zona, so he’s the perfect trade chip to help get your new team a high draft pick.
Hollywood Brown is as dangerous as any WR in football when it comes to Madden, and the Cardinals’ defense is built to last. The NFC West may be a bit more challenging than some of the other divisions in football, so starting a franchise with Arizona is probably the biggest challenge on this list.
- Overall Rating: 80
- Offense Rating: 84
- Defense Rating: 77
- Star Players: Buddha Baker (Superstar), J.J. Watt (Superstar), DeAndre Hopkins (Trade Bait?)
- Cap Space: $12,717,247
Detroit Lions
For years, the Detroit Lions were the laughingstock of the NFL. To be honest, they were probably one of my least favorite teams to use in Madden over the years as well. But all that has changed with better drafting and the right coaching staff. Like the Cardinals and Bears, the Lions will not have a chance to compete for a ring this season, but they have all the playmakers to make starting a franchise in Week 17 extremely appealing.
Quarterback Jared Goff probably isn’t the long-term answer, but he’s okay for now. The rest of Detroit’s offense is loaded with talent, from the dual-headed monster Jamaal Williams (free agent) and De’Andre Swift to their freak WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Penei Sewell has helped transform the offensive line like Aidan Hutchinson has changed Detrot’s defense. Add in $23M in cap space, two first-round picks, and other talented defenders like Alex Anzalone and Jeff Okudah, there’s a lot to like about the Lions — especially in Madden 23.
- Overall Rating: 77
- Offense Rating: 80
- Defense Rating: 75
- Star Players: Penei Sewell (Superstar), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Superstar), Jack Fox (Superstar)
- Cap Space: $23,134,119
Which team are you most looking forward to starting a Connected Franchise with? Let us know in the comments section below!
