Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Previews » ‘Madden NFL 26’ Is Speeding Up The Game And Injecting Coach DNA To The Game

‘Madden NFL 26’ Is Speeding Up The Game And Injecting Coach DNA To The Game

Matt DonahueBy Matt Donahue06/04/20254 Mins ReadUpdated:08/11/2025
Madden 26 - promotional keyart
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

EA Sports Madden NFL 26 (Madden 26) shared its cover athlete, Saquon Barkley. And now, EA Sports is sharing what’s coming next to Madden 26, which includes Coach and QB DNA, physics-based play expansion, and even more explosive NFL movements. These changes make a difference even by just jumping into a Play Now match.

We got a chance to go hands-on with Madden 26 and see some of the new gameplay for the latest iteration of the long-running franchise. During our hands-on preview event, we dove into the basics with Play Now sessions. And from those, two big things jump out right off the bat: gameplay pacing and presentation.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The Madden franchise over the years has always had a much slower-paced gameplay experience. Especially compared to its counterpart franchise EA Sports College Football. Now, in Madden’s defense, the NFL is not as wide open as college football. However, the NFL is home to the best of the best football players in the world, and capturing that elite explosiveness, speed, and strength is essential.

Unfortunately, at times over the years, it has not always come through when it comes to gameplay pacing. As one might say, it felt like players ran in mud or wore giant combat boots instead of their cleats. Now, all of that’s changing.

EA Sports is putting a focus on capturing quick, explosive play with Madden 26. 

MADDEN NFL 26 But Why Tho 1

Well, this Madden 26 has changed all that in that the game feels faster. The players have a more explosive feel to them, as in when cutting or hitting the hole, it feels like they are actually the best of the best. This also gives a better sense of user control, as getting in and out of them cuts and making moves, and then exploding into space.

Now, you need a way to fully utilize this improved, faster-paced gameplay, and that could be, of course, through play calling. Suggestion: Play Calling has been revamped to help users who want to grab a play without having to search through their playbooks.

Players using Suggestion Play Calling will now have a percentage of what their coach thinks the success rate of their suggested play is, along with a few thoughts on why they selected this play. This really helps the user get a feel for the offense or defense and look at not only the opposing team’s tendencies but also their own tendencies.

Experiencing this in Play Now sessions was very helpful for getting the feel of the game; however, I am sure playing in other game modes can really help you learn about yourself and your play-calling tendencies over time.

Coach DNA Comes ot Madden 26m and it just may make a big impact.

MADDEN NFL 26 promotional image from EA Sports for Coach DNA

The other major aspect of Madden 26 is the overall presentation and visuals when you get into the game. Some unique team introductions, along with multiple different broadcasting formats, give excitement starting each game. The visuals are top notch, whether be the stadium shots to player close-ups and even the weather conditions. So far Madden 26 is doing a great job with that in-game immersion, even when just booting up a quick game.

There is still a so much left to be seen about Madden 26 including plenty of new features for game play modes and gameplay to dive into. The game still has a few months to go before it’s release in August. Madden 26 really feels like it’s going in the right direction just from the limited time I was able to play. The faster more explosive gameplay alone makes want to see what else there is to come.

Madden NFL 26 launches on August 14, 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (via EA App, Steam, and Epic Games Store).

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘DC Pride 2025’ Issue 1
Next Article ‘MIO: Memories in Orbit’ Could Be The Next Big Indie
Matt Donahue
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)

Host of our flagship podcast and convention contributor. Responsible for creating the site’s content strategy plan and keeping the lights on. Sports trivia encyclopedia, Spider-Man and Dr. Strange fan, with a love of video games.

Related Posts

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

‘Digimon Story: Time Stranger’ Is A Treat, Full Of Tactics And Time Travel

09/08/2025
Pokemon Legends Z-A promotional still from Nintendo

‘Pokemon Legends Z-A’ Puts Dynamic Encounters First With Real-Time Combat

09/05/2025
STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions

‘STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions’ Promises Playful Shenanigans and Community Goals

09/05/2025
Switch 2 Upcoming Releases

Borderlands 4, Kirby Air Riders, And More Awesome Switch 2 Demos We Played

09/05/2025
Skate Skateboarder But Why Tho

Skate. Feels Like Free-To-Play Done Right

08/31/2025
Outer Worlds 2 Hero But Why Tho

‘Outer Worlds 2’ Delivers A Strong Opening Chapter In Our Hands-On Preview

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here