Madden NFL 25 received a title update that brings with it a laundry list of changes, including the correct cleats for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams and a likeness tweak for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. He now sports his recent transformation into a Slim Shady clone. There are also playbook additions for the Philadelphia Eagles, the introduction of São Paulo Stadium for the upcoming international game, and a fix to stop wide receivers from going offsides.
EA Sports detailed the September 3 title update for Madden NFL 25 on the company’s website. The Switch Stick got new delay options, ranging from none to even deactivating the setting. There are also tweaks to kickoff returns for the returners, who apparently were failing to catch the ball in the Landing Zone sometimes. The NFL overhauled kickoff returns during the offseason, and EA notes it has other improvements to make moving forward.
Looking ahead, developer EA Orlando says it’s aware that pass-coverage improvements for Madden NFL 25 are needed and those are being investigated. The team says it’s taking a gander at hard flats, cover 3 deep zone, and press animations, for example.
One thing that’s not in Madden NFL 25 are concussions, as well as Guardian Caps that some players will wear during the season to protect their heads (and brains). For more about the football game, check out GameSpot’s Madden NFL 25 review.
Last but not least, Nicolas Cage is set to star as John Madden for a biopic film. The late coach and broadcaster serves as the game’s namesake.
The full list of changes for the title update is below:
Gameplay
Playbook Updates:
Philadelphia Eagles playbook additions: WR Mid Screen, Slot Drive, RPO Q Stick Draw added to Gun Trey OpenMTN Fork H Choice, MTN Hitch ‘n’ Go, MTN Y Post added to Gun Trips TE FlexTackle Trap, Hammer Dagger, PA Jailbreak Screen added to Gun Tight Y Off WkY Flat Goalline, Z Mesh Goalline, Z Spot Goalline added to Bunch X Nasty21 plays added to Gun Normal Y Off CloseFixed an issue where a receiver would go offsides and run off the field caused by using a hot route on an auto-motion playerFixed an issue causing a man coverage defender to get caught out of position against Cheat Motion in Bunch Wide NastyFixed an issue causing the Left Tackle and TE to collide on Strong Jumbo PA SpotA variety of improvements to play-art in the play-call screen
Other Gameplay Updates:
Revamped passing mechanic added as an additional passing setting, also added to Hospitality SuiteAddressed an issue giving receivers a speed boost when using Custom Stems and then Smart-Routing Dev Note: We made this speed boost much harder to achieve and we’re working on a fix for a future Title Update. There’s also an additional change coming soon that will further balance which route segments will be able to be customized.Added a new Switch Stick delay option to the Gameplay Settings Menu: No DelaySlight DelayLarge DelayDisable Switch StickUpdate to make the online kick meter default to the new Multi-Meter, as well as the default in the Hospitality SuiteTuning to decrease pass speed when equipped with velocity-based passing abilities, Set Feet Lead and Pass Lead EliteTuning to increase the Defensive Lineman chance to sniff out the HB Slip Screen playAddressed an issue where Kick Returners were not able to reach the ball landing spot within the Landing Zone allowing for a specific kickoff tactic. Dev Note: There are other variations of kickoff maneuvers in addition to this one that the team is working on getting addressed as soon as possible.Added new pursuit logic to further differentiate high-pursuit rated players, improving pursuit angles for better playersUpdated the placement of the ball to be at the 30-yard line after a kickoff goes out of the back of the endzoneAdded logic so that defenders will not be faked out by Double-Pass trick plays when using Pass CommitFixed an issue sometimes causing an ‘effort’ catch to trigger on a catchable passFixed an issue allowing a free rusher on a specific blitz set-up out of Nickel 2-4 Double Mug and one out of Dollar 3-2 Overload Dev Note: Similar to the kickoff issue, there are other blitzes in addition to the ones fixed in this update that the team is actively working towards addressing as soon as possible.Tuning to WR blocking so that defensive backs are able to get off blocks quicker in ratings match-ups favoring the defenderTuning to WR/DB block interactions so DBs are able to get off of the blocks quicker when they have the appropriate ratingsFixed issues causing sideline characters to go through edge walls in Seattle, Miami and New Orleans stadiumsFixed a variety of minor animation issues in Physics Based TacklingTuning to decrease Illegal Man Downfield penalties on RPO’sFixed an issue allowing HB’s to be given backfield hot routes when aligned on the line of scrimmageFixed a rare issue causing the QB to become frozen when being tackled during a specific handoffFixed issues causing defenders to go offsides from pre-snap movement in a variety of defensive formationsFixed an issue allowing defenders to sometimes slip through double teams without the appropriate animationFixed an issue allowing players to use the spin move when using the conservative ball-carrier coach adjustment
Gameplay Dev Note:
We have clearly heard players’ desire for improvements to pass coverage, and the team is working on a significant set of improvements in a future title update. The incoming improvements being investigated include:Hard FlatsCover 3 Deep ZoneMatch coverage checks vs. bunch setsPress animationsZone Drop Coach AdjustmentsIn addition to pass coverage, we also have improvements on the way for kickoff exploits, blitzes, AI-play calling and spin-move tuning.
Franchise
Fixed an issue where the option to “Import Draft Class from Download Center” was removed from within the Franchise LeagueFixed an issue where the wrong player model would display during an Online Draft after pausing and resuming the DraftTuned some areas with our logic to address the issue surrounding our simulation stats to get them more inline
Superstar Mode (PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC only)
Updated the profanity filter flow when importing players from EA Sports College Football.Fixed an issue where the camera would freeze during gameplay in The League.Fixed text issues in Draft cinematics.
Online H2H Ranked
Fixed an issue where leaderboards could not be sorted by rank or player name.Fixed an issue where the rank summary screen was not being displayed properly when a user concedes the game.Fixed an issue where incorrect rank icons were being shown in ranked leaderboards.Fixed an issue where the top 100 leaderboard did not update to the correct rank icons.Fixed an issue where users were set to Bronze or Silver in the Division Leaderboards despite being in placement matches or unranked.
Dev Note: These Online H2H Ranked updates apply to both Online H2H with NFL teams and Ultimate Team’s H2H Ranked mode.
Presentation
Added São Paulo Stadium in celebration of the NFL’s annual International Games making its debut in BrazilAdded cameras to Super Bowl celebration cutscenesFixed timing for the player grade summary at the end of Superstar – The League gamesFixed incorrect helmet appearing in cutscenes with a Team Builder teamFixed post play stat milestone banners triggering too frequently in a single gameFixed player warping that could occur after a broadcast wipe when the Team option was selected for a touchdown celebrationFixed incorrect text on broadcast wipe that said “End of Regulation” at the end of an overtime periodFixed broken broadcast wipe if a player is tackled for a safetyFixed missing replay after a fake puntFixed coin toss result being displayed before the coin is tossed by the referee in overtimeFixed ‘Coaching’ option in pause menu within Practice ModeResized the Celebration mechanic wheel to be smaller and moved away from the center of the screen
Art
Player Likeness Updates: Xavier Worthy (WR – Chiefs)Adonai Mitchell (WR – Colts)Brock Bowers (TE – Raiders)Ricky Pearsall (WR – 49ers)Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Eagles)Kenny Clark (DT – Packers)Joe Burrow (QB – Bengals)New Gear Adidas Electric+ 2 CleatsJordan Retro Cement CleatsVisual Bug fixes Stadium Texture and Enlighten ImprovementsSideline Jersey number fixesGear color fixes (shoes, headbands, undershirts, etc)Texans Uniform UpdatesFixed some head, uniform, and gear clipping issuesUpdated NFL uniform fonts
Audio
Adjusted the in-game mix levels to make the commentary teams more audible, especially Mike Tirico & Greg Olsen.Fixed an issue with music stuttering/skipping as the users load into different modes.Added over 6,000 newly recorded lines from Kate Scott & Brock Huard, Mike Tirico & Greg Olsen, and Brandon Gaudin & Charles Davis.Bug fixes for commentary speaking incorrectly about the previous play.Dev Note: We’re aware the Washington Commanders renamed their stadium to Northwest Stadium. Replacement commentary will come in a future update.
