A very unique problem is threatening the 2020 NFL season, and Madden 21 could be affected. That problem is players opting out of the season due to COVID-19.
This raises the question, how will Madden address players opting out of the 2020 season?
Players Opting Out
While the opt outs started slowly, they're starting to pick up pace, and the list includes some very important players.
click to enlargeHAPPENING FAST: Could Edelman be the next Patriot to opt out of the 2020 NFL season?
So far the team most affected is the New England Patriots, who will reportedly be losing Patrick Chung, Dont'a Hightower, and more for the 2020 NFL season.
READ MORE: Madden 21: Closed Beta feedback response gives fans hope
With so many high profile players already opting out, we imagine this will only become more common before opening day.
READ MORE: Madden 21 PS5: Features, specs, price & more
That leaves the NFL in a bind, and Madden 21 in one as well.
How will Madden 21 Address Opt Outs?
Whether or not Madden 21 addresses the opt outs in its active roster, this begs the question of whether it should be something included in Franchise Mode or other game modes.
click to enlargePEACE: Players that opt out of the 2020 NFL season could be replaced in Madden 21
Because of the massive impact of Covid-19 on the world today, and its projected impact for a long time to come, there could be arguments that not including some mention of it is inauthentic.
READ MORE: Madden 21 Ratings: Fastest MLB's
And Madden 21 so far is working its way more and more toward authenticity.
READ MORE: Madden 21 X-Factors: EA confirms new Pass Rusher, QB, HB X-Factor Abilities
If players do indeed opt out of the 2020 NFL season and it proceeds, the game would have to include current rosters.
Time will tell how EA approach this quagmire, but for now, we can't imagine they'll be able to ignore it.
Which players have opted out of the NFL season?
There have been a very large number of players electing to opt out of the upcoming NFL season so far.
This list is up to date as of 5 August, but more come in every day.
| Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | RG | Kansas City Chiefs |
| De'Anthony Thomas | WR | Baltimore Ravens |
| Chance Warmack | RG | Seattle Seahawks |
| Maurice Canady | CB | Dallas Cowboys |
| Caleb Brantley | DL | Washington Football Team |
| Najee Toran | C/G | New England Patriots |
| Danny Vitale | FB | New England Patriots |
| Marcus Cannon | OT | New England Patriots |
| Brandon Bolden | RB | New England Patriots |
| Dont'a Hightower | LB | New England Patriots |
| Andre Smith | OT | Baltimore Ravens |
| Stephen Guidry | WR | Dallas Cowboys |
| Kyle Peko | DT | Denver Broncos |
| Eddie Vanderdoes | DT | Houston Texans |
| Cole Wick | TE | New Orleans Saints |
| Patrick Chung | S | New England Patriots |
| Anthony McKinney | OT | Tennessee Titans |
| Eddie Goldman | DT | Chicago Bears |
| Star Lotulelei | DT | Buffalo Bills |
| Michael Pierce | DT | Minnesota Vikings |
| Marquise Goodwin | WR | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Leo Koloamatangi | OL | New York Jets |
| Jordan Mack | LB | Carolina Panthers |
| Devin Funchess | WR | Green Bay Packers |
| Jason Vander Laan | TE | New Orleans Saints |
| Nate Solder | OT | New York Giants |
| Drake Dorbeck | OT | Cleveland Browns |
| Drew Forbes | G | Cleveland Browns |
| Damien Williams | RB | Kansas City Chiefs |
| John Atkins | DT | Detroit Lions |
| Josh Tupou | DT | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Isaiah Prince | OT | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Al Woods | DT | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Chandler Brewer | OT | Los Angeles Rams |
| Marqise Lee | WR | New England Patriots |
| C.J. Mosley | LB | New York Jets |
| Lerentee McCray | DE/LB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| E.J. Gaines | CB | Buffalo Bills |
| Matt LaCrosse | TE | New England Patriots |
| Jamize Olawale | FB | Dallas Cowboys |
| Da'Mari Scott | WR | New York Giants |
| Geronimo Allison | WR | Detroit Lions |
| Christian Miller | OLB | Carolina Panthers |
| Ja'Wuan James | OT | Denver Broncos |
| Josh Harvey-Clemons | LB | Washington Football Team |
| Jordan Lucas | S | Chicago Bears |
| Jeremiah Valoaga | DE | Las Vegas Raiders |
| D.J. Killings | DB | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Andrew Billings | DT | Cleveland Browns |
| Skai Moore | LB | Indianapolis Colts |
| Allen Hurns | WR | Miami Dolphins |
| Marcus Gilbert | OT | Arizona Cardinals |
| Ukeme Eligwe | LB | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Colby Gossett | G | Cleveland Browns |
| Travis Benjamin | WR | San Francisco 49ers |
| Albert Wilson | WR | Miami Dolphins |
READ MORE: Madden 21: Will slower user controlled defenders be good or bad for gameplay?