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Is it a little early for Madden 26 buzz?
Of course not. EA usually wraps up all of their pre-release info by the end of June. That means we’re about to land in the middle of Madden hype season.
The first potentially big news comes via a report from Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. According to Schultz, NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson will be a new in-game voice for Madden 26.
RedZone Presentation Could Change Everything in Madden 26
There’s real excitement surrounding Hanson’s rumored inclusion, and a big reason why is what he represents. EA hasn’t just added a familiar voice—they’ve added the voice of multi-game highlight chaos. That alone has fans dreaming big.
If Madden 26’s franchise mode features heightened presentation that presents highlights from games in a RedZone style, I may not be able to contain myself.
It’s easy to see how this could transform how we engage with weekly league play. For the first time in years, Franchise Mode might not just be about progression—it could actually feel alive.
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I’ve preached for years about how important immersion is for the overall franchise mode experience. Adding highlights from around the league at halftime and a weekly wrap-up show would deliver a new level of immersion.
I’m hoping this is the first step in that direction.
Madden Still Trails NBA 2K, But Hanson Could Help Close It
Even with updates in Madden 25, NBA 2K still owns the crown for presentation depth. Franchise in Madden has often felt more like a data engine than a broadcast. But if EA leans into Hanson’s strengths, that could change.
On the smallest scale, Hanson could be replacing Jonathan Coachman as the voice of the underwhelming halftime show.
That would be a welcome upgrade. But a true leap forward means building Hanson into the game’s core loop—either as a RedZone-style whip-around or weekly league coverage that highlights league-wide storylines.
Even on a Smaller Scale, There is Room for Optimism
Madden 25’s Franchise Mode wasn’t broken—in fact it was wildly improved compared to previous years. However, the next step forward will happen when we have more of a broadcast feel between games, and not just during them.
Presentation isn’t nearly as big of a deal in Ultimate Team or regs online as it is in franchise mode. Users in franchise mode don’t mind watching a cutscene or looking at highlights from other games. If the sequences aren’t canned and come from under-the-hood simulations, franchise mode gamers will welcome the elongated experience.
So even if we’re not getting full NFL RedZone immersion, this move still feels like a step in the right direction.
My brain and experience tells me to expect something in the middle of my wildest dreams and the bare minimum swap of Hanson for Coachman.
Based on EA’s history, that’s a fair expectation. But if EA leans just slightly more ambitious than usual, Hanson could mark the start of something groundbreaking.
