Madden NFL 26: Best Teams to Rebuild in Franchise Mode

There are a ton of star-studded teams to choose from in Madden NFL 26, but rebuilding a low-rated team in Franchise mode is one of the most fun things you can do in the game. There are a few NFL teams who need some help this year in Madden 26, and you can put them back on the path to greatness with your coaching prowess.

NFL rosters are always shifting, and a championship contender can become one of the worst teams in the league in just a few short years. There are a lot of interesting rebuild options this year — from fallen greats to promising underdogs — so you can have a great time in Madden NFL 26‘s revamped Franchise mode. These are the top teams to rebuild in Madden NFL 26.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have historically had trouble in the NFL, and this year is no different for Cleveland. With a 78 OVR rating, they’re the absolute worst team you can choose in Madden NFL 26‘s Franchise mode. That can change with you at the helm, though. They have a shockingly good defensive line, so all you have to worry about is finding a good quarterback to pull the Browns out of the mud.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are also one of the lowest-rated Franchise teams with a 79 OVR rating, but they have a much higher chance of success than the Browns. Jacksonville is struggling right now, but there’s a lot of potential in their roster. Trevor Lawrence is already a good quarterback, and he can grow into a superstar with the right training. You’ll need to fill in some blind spots on the offensive and defensive lines to truly transform the program, however.

Arizona Cardinals

With an 80 OVR rating, the Cardinals aren’t doing too bad right now compared to other NFL teams. Arizona has a strong offense (ranked 8th for passing), but their other rankings are much lower than they should be. Make use of Arizona’s strong QB and receivers and focus on building up the other parts of the Cardinals roster.

Chicago Bears

The Bears are on the higher side of the league with an 84 OVR rating, but a closer look at their roster and stats reveals some deep-running issues. There just aren’t that many star players on the Bears compared to other NFL teams. If you can handle quarterback Caleb Williams better than the Bears have in real life, though, they’ll have a shot at the playoffs with the help of some smart coaching.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are sitting at an 80 OVR, which puts them on the lower end of the NFL rankings for Madden NFL 26. The Titans have some dominant players, like Simmons and Zeitler (who are both 90+ OVR), and they’re ranked 9th in the league for rushing. They really need a star QB, though, so if you can train up Cam Ward and draft some other players to fill in the other Tennessee blind spots, you can help the Titans get to where they need to be.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are one of the most beloved teams in the NFL, but they’re one of the lowest-rated Franchise teams in Madden NFL 26. The main thing the Saints have going for them is their speed, ranked 7th in the league, and they have a respectable rush game, too. New Orleans is in dire need of some fresh talent, however, and some tactical draft picks can propel them to the top of the league.

New York Giants

The Giants aren’t in a great spot right now with only a 79 OVR rating, but their incredible defense will give you a leg up as you rebuild this program. They scored some great draft picks leading into this season, and now, it’s up to you to make things work. This team really needs a strong QB at the helm to succeed, so make that your main priority as coach.

New York Jets

The New York teams can’t seem to catch a break lately since the Jets are having just as much trouble as the Giants. They rank 9th in the league for pass rush and coverage (and they have decent speed), but they’re in dire need of some new talent. Aaron Rodgers is gone. The Jets need a new star quarterback. Newly signed Justin Fields is hopefully the solution to the Jets’ problem, but that’s just the first step toward rebuilding this program.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons haven’t seen the playoffs in a long, long time, but you can rebuild the team and catapult Atlanta to the top of the league with some decent coaching. They have really strong rankings for rushing, pass rush, coverage, and speed, so there’s something to work with here. The Falcons really need some bolstered defenses, however, and the team’s spread of Superstar and X-Factor players will give you some breathing room while you scout for additional talent.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are also one of the lowest-rated Franchise teams in Madden NFL 26 at 79 OVR, but they have some strong points that make them a key contender for a rebuild. Carolina has some great new talent coming into this season, and its existing players are ready to step up to the plate. The Panthers roster has some serious blind spots, though, so you’ll need to do some recruiting to help the team achieve its goals.

Any of these teams are great candidates for Franchise rebuilds in Madden NFL 26, so take your pick and start looking for potential prospects. Sometimes, all you need is one or two key trades and revamped playbooks to get ahead.