Madden NFL 23 is here, with the latest edition of the classic video game series releasing Friday, Aug. 19, on the Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows platforms After iconic coach and broadcaster John Madden died on Last Year, this year's game was always going to be at least part about legacy; that's why Madden is back on the cover of all three editions. It's the first time in over two decades that Madden will be the focal point of the cover.

Madden is literally all over the game. He appears as a coaching character in certain modes, and there's now an All-Madden Legacy mode of the game to be played as well. This is in addition to the changes made to the game itself by EA Sports and the modes already ingrained into the culture of the game.

The franchise mode has altered its free agency module (finally), altered the offering of contracts to free agents and how draft classes shake out. EA Sports added better draft and trade logic, too. In Ultimate Team, there are now more ways to progress. Developers paid attention to changes in game play from last year's version, called "FieldSENSE" to try and up the realism between the lines.

The hope is it's a better game than last season -- although often what so many people care about is who is rated where and what it all might mean. With the game launching Friday, we have got you covered with the information of players (and teams) you need to know, from the highest-rated rookies and players with the best hands to the most elusive players and the league's best spin moves.