Madden 25’s franchise mode is a candidate to be the best of the decade.

With expanded customization, branching storylines, and a revitalized NFL Draft experience, franchise mode fans can prepare for one of the most enjoyable seasons of Madden play.

With that in mind, here are five teams that might be of interest to Madden series players looking for a variety of challenges.

Chicago Bears

The Bears have one of the most intriguing offenses in the NFL and Madden. Rookie QB Caleb Williams has a 76-point rating, the most of any rookie signal-caller, and he has a ton of weapons to use in his first season with the Bears.

The Bears are the only team in Madden 25 with two wide receivers rated 89 or higher at launch: Keenan Allen (90) and DJ Moore (89). They also have rookie Rome Odunze (76), halfback Deandre Swift (85) and underrated pass-catching tight ends Cole Kmet (83) and Gerald Everett (81).

On defense, the Bears have four players rated 84 or higher, including Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Byard, who is rated 89. Even if you don’t make it to the Super Bowl in your first year, the idea of ​​having Williams with a great weapon for a couple of seasons is a fun concept in Madden and in real life.

Baltimore Ravens

Outside of the Kansas City Chiefs, I expect a lot of people to use the Ravens in online head-to-head matchups. Likewise, if you’re looking for a team that will allow you to start a dynasty right away in franchise mode, the Ravens are a great choice.

Moreover, you need to have fun in this process.

Lamar Jackson is graded as a 98 overall, and only Patrick Mahomes is graded higher as a quarterback. We know Jackson’s dual-threat abilities, but now we have Derrick Henry in the backfield, and that almost seems unfair in Madden.

Combine that duo with a great offensive line, and I’m not sure any team in Madden 25 will be more lethal on the ground. As always, the defense is terrific. Roquan Smith is the second-highest-rated defensive back in the game, and the Ravens also have the highest-rated safeties in Madden 25 with Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Griffin.

Washington Commanders

If you want a little more of a challenge than what you’ll get with the Bears but still want to check out one of the best young quarterbacks in Madden 25, consider checking out Washington Commanders forward Jayden Daniels.

The No. 2 overall pick in the draft isn’t far behind Williams, but the Bears’ rookie won’t have the same arsenal of weapons he did early in his career.

But that doesn’t mean the Commanders offense has no one to pass to. Terry McLaurin is a respectable 89 overall and Washington has one of the best pass-catching rushers in Austin Ekeler, but he only grades out at 81 in throwing ratings.

Defensively, Washington still has Jonathan Allen on the defensive line, so there’s reason enough to see some success early on, but the Commanders are still a team that users can identify as an emerging roster that can rebuild.

Atlanta Falcons

If we’re looking at teams that have the weapons to make a splash in the first year of franchise mode, but also have a quarterback of the future waiting in the wings, the Atlanta Falcons should be at the top of that list.

Kirk Cousins ​​will be the starting QB, but the veteran might not stay in Atlanta or the NFL for long. He will start the season with an 84 overall rating, but will be 36 in two weeks.

If Madden’s age progression engine is working correctly, Cousins ​​could be on a rapid decline. That’s where rookie point guard Michael Penix Jr. could be a factor.

In your second or third year of franchise mode, Penix Jr. can be your starting quarterback, which can add some intrigue to the experience.

Cousins ​​and Penix Jr. will have the luxury of throwing passes to Kyle Pitts and Drake London, which would give the Falcons two key aerial targets.

Defensively, the Falcons have a very good second line, with top safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback AJ Terrell Jr.

Pittsburgh Steelers

If you want some good old-fashioned QB sparring in your franchise mode experience, try the Pittsburgh Steelers. Russell Wilson has a 76 overall rating at launch and Justin Fields has a 75.

It doesn’t get any closer than this when it comes to two QBs on the Madden roster depth chart.

In real life, I believe Fields will take over from Wilson very early in the preseason or regular season. He is too dynamic and his arm talent is too elite to be behind the older version of Wilson we are seeing now.

If you choose the Steelers for your team, you will be taking control of an exciting defense.

TJ Watt is still a devil on the perimeter after a 19-sack season in 17 games. Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, and defensive backs Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen round out the top of a defense that could be the best in Madden 25.

You can see all of Madden 25’s player ratings here . Madden 25 launches on August 16th for all platforms.