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All X-Factor Players And Their Abilities In Madden NFL 26

On Aug 19, 2025 6:47 am, by NuclearCoffee

NFL players are some of the best athletes in the world, often making plays that make them look superhuman. The Madden NFL 26 developers certainly strive to create a balanced game, but they’ve also implemented mechanics that will allow you to dominate opponents, mirroring real-life Sunday highlights.

These improbable plays usually come through the use of X-Factor abilities. They temporarily give selected players massive buffs, making it easy to score and play lockdown defense. Here are all the X-Factors you can expect to encounter in Madden NFL 26.

What Are X-Factor Abilities?

Every year, 50 of the NFL’s most electric players are granted X-Factor status in Madden. These athletes generally already have very high stat ratings, but what separates them from the rest of the pack is their abilities.

After completing small objectives with these players, they will enter ‘the zone’, and their X-Factor icon underneath their feet will light up. At this point, they will have access to their unique perk, allowing them to perform impressive feats like throwing with perfect accuracy, juking the defense out of their shoes, or breaking up a crucial pass.

Offensive X-Factors, Explained

Ja'Marr Chase's X-Factor description screen in Madden NFL 26.

There are 23 X-Factor players on the offensive side of the ball, all of whom can help you move the chains with ease. They are as follows:

Player	Position	Team	X-Factor	Description	How To Activate
Ja’Marr Chase	WR	Bengals	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
Josh Allen	QB	Bills	Bazooka	Maximum throw distance is increased.	Complete a pass of 30 or more air yards.
Saquon Barkley	HB	Eagles	Phenom	Increased chance to win one-on-one interactions against the first defender.	Rush for 10+ yards three times.
Lamar Jackson	QB	Ravens	Truzz	Won’t fumble when tackled.	Rush for one or more yards five times.
Justin Jefferson	WR	Vikings	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
George Kittle	TE	49ers	YAC ‘Em Up	Increased chance to break the defense’s first tackle attempt following a catch.	Make four 20+ yard receptions.
Derrick Henry	HB	Ravens	Freight Train	Increased chance to break the defense’s next tackle attempt.	Rush for 10+ yards three times.
Joe Burrow	QB	Bengals	Run & Gun	Perfect passing accuracy while on the run.	Make three consecutive passes of five or more air yards.
Amon-Ra St. Brown	WR	Lions	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
Patrick Mahomes	QB	Chiefs	Bazooka	Maximum throw distance is increased.	Complete a pass of 30 or more air yards.
CeeDee Lamb	WR	Cowboys	YAC ‘Em Up	Increased chance to break the defense’s first tackle attempt following a catch.	Make four 20+ yard receptions.
Tyreek Hill	WR	Dolphins	RAC ‘Em Up	Always win RAC catches.	Make three 20+ yard receptions.
Terry McLaurin	WR	Commanders	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
Christian McCaffrey	HB	49ers	Ankle Breaker	Increased chance for skill move success following a catch.	Make three 20+ yard receptions.
Mike Evans	WR	Buccaneers	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
Travis Kelce	TE	Chiefs	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
A.J. Brown	WR	Eagles	Max Security	Increased win rate when attempting possession catches.	Catch four consecutive targets.
Bijan Robinson	HB	Falcons	First One Free	Increased success rate on the next juke, spin, or hurdle.	Rush for 10+ yards three times.
Joe Mixon	HB	Texans	Wrecking Ball	Increased win rate on trucks and stiff arms.	Rush for 10+ yards three times.
Brock Bowers	TE	Raiders	Double Me	Increased chance to win aggressive catches when in single coverage.	Make two 20+ yard receptions.
Nico Collins	WR	Texans	Ankle Breaker	Increased chance for skill move success following a catch.	Make three 20+ yard receptions.
Jalen Hurts	QB	Eagles	Run & Gun	Perfect passing accuracy while on the run.	Make three consecutive passes of five or more air yards.
Jayden Daniels	QB	Commanders	Escape Artist	Improved run speed after breaking the pocket.	Rush for 10+ yards four times.

Defensive X-Factors, Explained

Fred Warner's X-Factor description screen in Madden NFL 26.

Defense has the edge in Madden 26, with 27 X-Factors on their side of the ball. Their abilities will help you stuff the run, shut down the pass, and grab key turnovers. They are as follows:

Player	Position	Team	X-Factor	Description	How To Activate
Myles Garrett	REDG	Browns	Unstoppable Force	Pass rush move wins lead to quicker block shedding.	Sack the QB twice.
Micah Parsons	LEDG	Cowboys	Dual Threat	Increased chance to beat pass blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make sacks.
Patrick Surtain II	CB	Broncos	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Chris Jones	DT	Chiefs	Momentum Shift	On-field opponents have all zone progress wiped.	Sack the QB twice.
Fred Warner	MLB	49ers	Universal Coverage	Better coverage plus more pass knockouts in man and zone.	Force two incompletions.
Dexter Lawrence	DT	Giants	Blitz	On-field blockers have their resistance wiped out.	Sack the QB twice
Maxx Crosby	LEDG	Raiders	Relentless	Rush moves don’t cost points.	Make a sack or tackle for loss.
T.J. Watt	LEDG	Steelers	Unstoppable Force	Pass rush move wins lead to quicker block shedding.	Sack the QB twice.
Jessie Bates III	FS	Falcons	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Nick Bosa	LEDG	49ers	Relentless	Rush moves don’t cost points.	Make a sack or tackle for loss.
Sauce Gardner	CB	Jets	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Roquan Smith	MLB	Ravens	Reinforcement	Increased chance to beat run blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make tackles for loss.
Jalen Ramsey	CB	Steelers	Bottleneck	Dominate man press attempts.	Force two incompletions.
Cameron Heyward	DT	Steelers	Fearmonger	Opposing QBs may be pressured even while the player is engaged with a blocker.	Sack the QB twice.
Vita Vea	DT	Buccaneers	Fearmonger	Opposing QBs may be pressured even while the player is engaged with a blocker.	Sack the QB twice.
Derwin James Jr.	SS	Chargers	Reinforcement	Increased chance to beat run blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make tackles for loss.
Aidan Hutchinson	LEDG	Lions	Unstoppable Force	Pass rush move wins lead to quicker block shedding.	Sack the QB twice.
Xavier McKinney	SS	Packers	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Derek Stingley Jr.	CB	Texans	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Budda Baker	SS	Cardinals	Reinforcement	Increased chance to beat run blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make tackles for loss.
Antoine Winfield Jr.	FS	Buccaneers	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Quinnen Williams	DT	Jets	Fearmonger	Opposing QBs may be pressured even while the player is engaged with a blocker.	Sack the QB twice.
Jaire Alexander	CB	Ravens	Shutdown	Better coverage and more interceptions on contested catches.	Force two incompletions.
Josh Hines-Allen	REDG	Jaguars	Unstoppable Force	Pass rush move wins lead to quicker block shedding.	Sack the QB twice.
Kyle Hamilton	SS	Ravens	Reinforcement	Increased chance to beat run blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make tackles for loss.
Demario Davis	MLB	Saints	Reinforcement	Increased chance to beat run blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make tackles for loss.
Matt Milano	OLB	Bills	Reinforcement	Increased chance to beat run blocks and disrupt catches.	Force two incompletions or make tackles for loss.