Sure, it's easy to grab the Kansas City Chiefs and dominate Franchise Mode in Madden 22, but what about rebuilding a team?
Some of these teams may need some work, but the payoff will be more rewarding for all the effort you've put in. Which ones should you choose though?
We've got a list to help you get started on your rebuild, just choose one of our best teams to rebuild in the Madden 22 Franchise Mode.
Best Teams to rebuild in Madden 22 Franchise Mode
The teams that made this list currently have low overall ratings, all landing towards the bottom of the table in Madden 22.
However, each of these teams has the potential to turn into one of the best teams in the league with a bit of work.
Here's the best teams to rebuild in Madden 22 Franchise Mode ranked from the most difficult down.
Detroit Lions - 74 OVR
The Lions have a low Franchise Mode overall for a reason, as there are a lot of areas where the team needs help. Out of all the teams this could be the hardest team to rebuild in Franchise Mode.
The reason why is because a lot of work needs to be done on the defense. Pretty much any of the first moves you make should be along the secondary and defensive line. That means early trades!
The good news is they've got some players you can trade away on offense to land some defensive players. Two names you could let go of are RB D'Andre Swift and WR Tyrell Williams.
Contracts to drop:
- WR - Tyrell Williams - $3M Cap Hit
- RB - D'Andre Swift - $1.94M Cap Hit
Dumping these contracts via trades or cuts will save you nearly $5 million to use when signing other players. You'll also have to decide early if you want to keep Jared Goff who has a $10.3M cap hit.
You'll still have Jamaal Williams at running back and can draft a wide receiver in the future. Detroit will need a lot of work but you can pull it off with key defensive moves.
Carolina Panthers - 73 OVR
The Carolina Panthers aren't a bad team to get a start with, but they'll need similar work on defense, much like the Lions. The great part is all the trade leverage you have with Carolina.
All along the offense are players you can live without, including QB Sam Darnold. P.J. Walker could work as a replacement in the meantime until you can draft yourself a starter. Make sure to hold onto Christian McCaffrey, as he'll be the entire center of the offense.
Contracts to drop:
- SS - Juston Burris - $4.95M Cap Hit
- QB - Sam Darnold - $4.77M Cap Hit
- DT - Morgan Fox - $2.5M Cap Hit
Juston Burris should be the first contract you drop when playing as Carolina, he has a 66 OVR and doesn't deserve the near $5 million cap hit. Look to trade him in any way that frees up some space for better roster moves.
By holding onto just a few players and adding better players on defense, you can turn the Panthers into the leaders of the NFC South in Franchise Mode.
New York Jets - 72 OVR
You'd imagine that since the Jets have such a low overall that they'd be one of the hardest teams to overhaul, but you'd be wrong.
The New York Jets have an incredible upside especially with their revamped offense in Madden 22. Zach Wilson is a good starting quarterback and the Jets have a deep receiving corps. The defense could use work in the secondary but the front seven is pretty strong.
Contracts to drop:
- RT - George Fant - $9.4M Cap Hit
- TE - Christopher Herndon IV - $2.36M Cap Hit
RT George Fant is a 69 OVR with a cap hit of over 9 million dollars, there's no reason to hold onto that contract considering he has a capable backup in Morgan Moses. Look for any kind of trade you can get for Fant early to free up space for better moves.
With the Jets, you'll need a couple of seasons to really get going, and when drafting make sure to land top prospects in the secondary. If you don't, your defensive backs are going to get burnt the entire season.
Jacksonville Jaguars - 75 OVR
The Jacksonville Jaguars are almost the easiest team to "rebuild" in Franchise Mode because they've already done most of the hard work.
They've got a young, talented quarterback in Trevor Lawerence. A couple of moderately good running backs and a middle-of-the-road receiving corps. The best part about the Jaguars is that neither side of the ball needs much work.
Contracts to drop:
- MLB - Joe Schobert - $9.9M Cap Hit
- QB - C.J. Beathard - $2.13M Cap Hit
- TE - James O'Shaughnessy - $1.59M Cap Hit
When retooling the team, look for trades that could land you a good edge rusher. That way you'll get more pressure on opposing teams.
Remember what division you're in though, as you'll have to find a way to stop Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans. The best way to do this is to find some good interior lineman that can close gaps on the defensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals - 75 OVR
All you have to do is look at the Cincinnati Bengal's offense in Madden 22 and it's clear why they're the easiest team to rebuild.
The offense needs absolutely nothing, Joe Burrow's a great young talent surrounded by some of the best young players at skill positions. You could easily have a top ten offense in your first season.
Contracts to drop:
- LG - Xavier Su'a-Filo - $3.23M Cap Hit
- DT - Josh Tupou - $2.13M Cap Hit
- QB - Brandon Allen - $1.5M Cap Hit
Making slight moves to make the defensive line more stout will definitely help, you can do this by trades or free agent acquisitions. The fact is, out of this group the Bengals are the most playoff-ready team.