SALEM, OR — We’re back with Part 3 of our Madden 26 Franchise Deep Dive series. If you missed the first two entries, we explored the new coaching archetypes and how weekly strategy has been completely reworked. Today, we focus on the backbone of every franchise: your coordinators—and the playsheet system that expands your playbook in powerful new ways.
Madden 26 turns both into real strategic tools that define your team’s identity, unlock unique schemes, and create new ways to outsmart opponents.
Why Coordinators Finally Matter
In previous years, coordinators were mostly passive figures. That’s no longer the case.
In Madden 26:
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Coordinators have their own abilities, goals, and progression paths
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Their identity now directly influences your weekly loadout
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They are the only way to access abilities outside your archetype
So if you’re a Defensive Genius like Jeff Jarin in San Francisco, your offensive flexibility comes down to who you hire as your OC. Want to run a creative red zone scheme or go no-huddle with tempo? Your coordinator unlocks that path.
Coordinators can also progress, regress, or master their abilities just like head coaches. And yes, CPU teams will now hire and fire based on coordinator performance. That means top coordinators in the league (like Mark Miller’s OC in Chicago) might get poached if they’re too good.
Introducing Playsheets: Mini Playbooks with Game-Changing Impact
The other big change: Madden 26 introduces Playsheets—focused sets of formations and plays designed to complement your base playbook. Think of them as “boosted packages” tied to real-world offensive or defensive concepts.
Each playsheet comes with four tiers:
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Tier I: Unlocks the playsheet
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Tier II–IV: Add player attribute boosts tied to those plays
And yes, just like abilities, playsheets can upgrade, downgrade, or be mastered based on your performance.
Examples of Playsheets and Their Impact
You can equip up to four playsheets per week, creating layered strategies that evolve with your opponent. Here are a few notable examples:
🧠 West Coast (Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan)
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Boosts Pass Block, Short Accuracy, and Catch in Traffic
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Great for rhythm offenses and play-action setups
💨 Run N Shoot (Sean McVay, Shane Steichen)
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Spreads defenses with 4 WR sets
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Boosts route running and pass blocking for high-tempo attacks
🧱 Heavy Sets (Dan Campbell, Kevin Stefanski)
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Ground-and-pound playbook
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Boosts Carry, Break Tackle, and run blocking ratings
💥 Batch O’Blitzes (Todd Bowles, Mike Macdonald)
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Defensive playsheet full of exotic pressures
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Boosts Finesse and Power Moves for pass rushers
Coaches like Max Farias (LV) will love the freedom this system brings. Need to shift from a balanced scheme to a blitz-heavy, press-man defense in a must-win game? Just change your playsheet loadout and let your coordinators guide the ship.
On-Field Integration Is Seamless
Once in-game, playsheet plays are fully integrated into your playcalling screen:
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A dedicated “Playsheets” tab appears
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You can quickly access each package by name
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Each play is tagged by playsheet and shows tier boosts in action
It’s fast, intuitive, and adds strategic weight without slowing you down.
More Than Just a Gimmick
The playsheet system isn’t just about expanding your playbook—it’s about tailoring it. Facing a team with poor linebacker play? Load up the Run N Shoot. Need to control the clock? Heavy Sets has you covered.
It lets coaches like Mark Miller adjust week to week without abandoning their identity, exactly how it works in real football.
Up Next
In Part 4, we’ll explore the all-new Wear and Tear system, how player injuries are no longer predictable, and why smart teams will need to manage fatigue to survive a full season. We’ll also cover trainer abilities, rest days, and the consequences of overusing your stars.
