Madden 23: All X-Factors, Superstars, and Abilities

Madden 23 X-Factor and Superstar abilities can be literal game-changers on the field. When you need a clutch win in the season’s biggest game or against an expert opponent online, you’ll want to turn to your stars to put the ball in the end zone or get that crucial first down. 

From being able to force fumbles and winning more 50-50 balls to getting more yards after catch and ignoring pressure in a collapsing pocket, Madden 23‘s 26 X-Factor skills are tied to a relatively small number of elite NFL players. These abilities, similarly to Momentum Boosts, must be triggered by completing certain in-game criteria, which mostly comes down to playing well. Likewise, they can be shut down by performing poorly. 

Superstar abilities, on the other hand, are latent skills that are available from the first snap to the last snap; they don’t need to be activated. These talents can be just as valuable when the game’s on the line or if you’re going after a specific gameday or season goal for more Franchise Points. They include everything from more powerful stiff arm animations to elite prowess while running specific routes and gaining certain resistances more quickly. The player roster for these is more extensive and includes those with X-Factors.

It’s worth familiarizing yourself with these players across the league, not just on your team, to take advantage of specific matchups week in and week out. The lists below collect all of the X-Factor and Superstar players at launch and list all the abilities available to them as described in the game by EA.

Some players not on this list can gain these abilities in Franchise mode or have others in MUT. For example, Trevor Lawrence can become a Superstar in franchise mode with talents like Quick Draw, though he’s not included here.

To see all the players on this list in-game, click the NFL logo icon on the right side of the screen in the main menu, then choose “View Superstar X-Factors. Here, you can filter all players by team. 

Some teams have players on both lists, one or the other, or neither. Teams with no X-Factor players or Superstars include the Bears, Giants, Lions, and Texans.

X-Factor Skills

• Ankle Breaker: High fakeout rate on skill moves following the catch.
• Avalanche: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles.
• Bazooka: Max throwing distance increased.
• Blitz: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped. 
• Blitz Radar: Highlights extra blitzers.
• Bottleneck: Dominantly win man press attempts.
• Dots: Grants perfect passing on any throw.
• Double Me: Wins aggressive catches vs. single coverage.
• Fearmonger: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker.
• First One Free: High fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle.
• Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt.
• Max Security: High success rate on possession catches.
• Momentum Shift: On-field opponents have their zone progress wiped.
• Pro Reads: Highlights the first open target & ignores pressure.
• RAC ‘Em Up: Wins RAC catches vs. single coverage.
• Reinforcement: Higher chance to defeat run blocks & disrupt catches.
• Relentless: Rush moves no longer cost points.
• Run & Gun: Grants perfect passing while on the run.
• Run Stuffer: Block shedding is more effective vs. run plays.
• Satellite: Wins RAC & possession catches vs. single coverage.
• Shutdown: Tighter coverage & more INTs on contested catches.
• Truzz: Can’t fumble as a result of a tackle.
• Unstoppable Force: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding.
• Wrecking Ball: High success rate on trucks and stiff arms.
• YAC ‘Em Up: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle.
• Zone Hawk: More INTs in zone coverage.

Superstar Abilities

• Acrobat: Diving swats & interceptions.
• Adrenaline Rush: Sacks restore all pass rush points.
• Agile Extender: Higher chance to evade the first sack by a blitzing DB. 
• All Day: Better protection against frequent shed attempts.
• Anchored Extender: Higher chance to break the first sack by a blitzing DB.
• Arm Bar: More powerful stiff arm animations.
• Backfield Master: More hot routes & improved catching from the backfield.
• Backlash: More tackler fatigue on non-conservative tackles.
• Balance Beam: Avoid stumbling as a ball carrier.
• Bench Press: Press wins fatigue the receiver.
• BOGO: Grants a free pass rush move after spending a point.
• Bruiser: More powerful truck & stiff arm animations.
• Bulldozer: More powerful truck animations.
• Closer: Reduced zone objectives in the 2nd half. 
• Comeback: Reduced zone objectives while losing.
• Conductor: Faster hot routing & blocking adjustments.
• Dashing Deadeye: Perfect pass accuracy on the run up to 40 yards.
• Deep In Elite: Improved catching on deep passes inside the numbers.
• Deep In Zone KO: Improved reactions/knockouts in deep inside zones. 
• Deep Out Elite: Improved catching on deep passes outside the numbers.
• Deep Out Zone KO: Improved reactions/knockouts in deep outside zones.
• Deep Route KO: Improved knockouts in man vs. deep routes.
• Deflator: More ball carrier fatigue on non-conservative tackles.
• Demoralizer: Hit-sticking the ball carrier wipes their zone progress.
• Edge Protector: Stronger pass protection vs. elite edge rushers.
• Edge Threat: Dominant pass rush moves from the edge.
• Edge Threat Elite: Dominant edge rush moves & increased QB pressure.
• El Toro: Dominant bull rush wins from max pass rush points.
• Energizer: Replenish stamina after successful skill moves.
• Enforcer: Guaranteed tackle after hit-sticking ball carriers.
• Evasive: Grants steerable spin & juke moves.
• Extra Credit: Grants an additional max pass rush point.
• Fastbreak: Improved blocking on designed QB runs.
• Fearless: Immune to defensive pressure while in the pocket. 
• Flat Zone KO: Improved reactions & catch knockouts in flat zones.
• Fool Me Once: Gains blocking resistance faster.
• Goal Line Back: Stronger run blocking within 5 yards of the end zone.
• Goal Line Stuff: Quicker run sheds near the goal line.
• Gunslinger: Grants faster passing speed.
• Gutsy Scrambler: Immune to defensive pressure while on the run.
• Grab-N-Go: Quicker turning/change-of-direction after a RAC catch.
• High Point Deadeye: Grants perfect accuracy on high throws under 20 yards.
• Hot Route Master: Four additional hot routes.
• Inside Stuff: Quicker run sheds against inside zone plays.
• Inside Deadeye: Perfect pass accuracy on throws inside the numbers.
• Instant Rebate: Successful block sheds grant a pass rush point.
• Juke Box: Grants steerable juke animations.
• Leap Frog: Prevents fumbles while hurdling.
• Long Range Deadeye: Perfect pass accuracy on all deep throws.
• Lumberjack: Cut sticks guarantee tackles & add fumble chance.
• Lurker: Spectacular catch animations for lurking defenders.
• Matador: Prevents dominant bull rush moves.
• Matchup Nightmare: Better route running and catching vs. LBs.
• Medium Route KO: Improved knockouts in man vs. medium routes.
• Mid In Elite: Improved catching on medium passes inside the numbers.
• Mid Out Elite: Improved catching on medium passes outside the numbers.
• Mid Route Elite: Improved catching on medium passes outside the numbers.
• Mid Zone KO: Improved reactions & catch knockouts in mid zones.
• Mr. Big Stop: Start 3rd/4th down with half of your pass rush points.
• Nasty Streak: Dominant impact block wins against DBs & LBs.
• Natural Talent: Begin the game with blocker resistance.
• No-Look Deadeye: Perfect accuracy on cross-body throws up to 20 yards.
• No Outsiders: Quicker sheds against outside zone plays.
• One Step Ahead: Faster reactions to receiver cuts in man coverage.
• On the Ball: Grants improved reactions to runoffs.
• Out My Way: Dominant impact block wins vs. WRs, HBs, & TEs.
• Outmatched: Better contested catching against RBs.
• Outside Apprentice: Four additional hot routes when lined up outside.
• Outside Presence: Four additional hot routes when line up outside.
• Outside Shade: Faster reactions to receiver cuts outside the numbers.
• Pass Lead Elite: increased throw power when leading bullet passes.
• Persistent: Harder to knock out of The Zone.
• Pick Artist: Better catching & improved stamina on INT returns.
• Playmaker: Immediate & precise reactions to playmaker inputs.
• Post Up: Dominant when engaged in double team blocks.
• Puller Elite: Significantly increases effectiveness of pull blocks.
• Quick Draw: Faster throwing animations when under pressure.
• RB Apprentice: Four additional hot routes when lined up at RB.
• Reach Elite: Able to tackle/sack while engaged with blockers.
• Reach for It: Frequently gains additional yards while being tackled.
• Recuperation: Recover from fatigue at an increased rate.
• Red Zone Deadeye: Perfect pass accuracy while throwing in the red zone.
• Red Zone Threat: Improved catching vs. single coverage in the red zone.
• Roaming Deadeye: Perfect pass accuracy while standing outside the pocket.
• Route Apprentice: Four additional hot routes from any receiver position.
• Route Technician: Quicker cuts while running routes.
• Run Stopper: Shed attempts are free on run plays.
• Runoff Elite: Grants more confident runoffs.
• Screen Protector: Dominant impact block wins on screen plays.
• Secure Protector: Stronger protection vs. quick block shed moves.
• Secure Tackler: Higher success rate on conservative tackles.
• Set Feet Lead: Increased THP when leading bullet passes with set feet.
• Short In Elite: Improved catching on short passes inside the numbers.
• Short Out Elite: Improved catching on short passes outside the numbers.
• Short Route KO: Improved knockouts in man vs. short routes.
• Sideline Deadeye: Perfect pass accuracy on throws outside the numbers.
• Slot Apprentice: Four additional hot routes when lined up in the slot. 
• Slot-O-Matic: Better cuts & catching on short slot routes.
• Speedster: Speed rush moves partially ignore blocker resistance.
• Stonewall: Prevents additional yardage gains while tackling.
• Strip Specialist: Reduced tackle penalty while trying to strip the ball.
• Swim Club: Swim/Club moves partially ignore blocker resistance.
• Tackle Supreme: Decreased takeout chance & better conservative tackles.
• Tank: Breaks hit-stick tackles.
• TE Apprentice: Four additional hot routes when lined up at TE.
• Tight Out: Consistent catching from TEs who beat their coverage.
• Tip Drill: Higher chance to catch tipped passes.
• Under Pressure: Larger area of effect for QB pressure and disruption.
• Unfakeable: Decreased chance to be faked out by ball carrier moves.
• Unpredictable: Shed wins are less likely to add to blocker resistance.
• WR Apprentice: Four additional hot routes at any WR position.

Every X-Factor Player

The following is a list of every X-Factor player in Madden 23 by team name in alphabetical order (leaving out the team’s home city/state/region). The first bullet under their name is their Superstar X-Factor ability; the succeeding bullets are their other passive abilities.

49ers

• Deebo Samuel

  • YAC ‘Em Up

    • Mid Out Elite
    • Slot-O-Matic
    • Mid In Elite

• Fred Warner

  • Zone Hawk

    • Outmatched
    • Lurker
    • Mid Zone KO

• George Kittle

  • YAC ‘Em Up

    • Route Apprentice
    • Short Out Elite
    • Short In Elite

• Nick Bosa

  • Relentless

    • Extra Credit
    • Speedster
    • Edge Threat

Bengals

• Joe Burrow

  • Run & Gun

    • Sideline Deadeye
    • Fearless
    • Set Feet Lead

Bills

• Josh Allen

  • Bazooka

    • Fastbreak
    • Pass Lead Elite
    • Dashing Deadeye

• Stefon Diggs

  • RAC ‘Em Up

    • Juke Box
    • Deep In Elite
    • Grab-N-Go

• Tre’Davious White

  • Shutdown

    • Pick Artist
    • Acrobat
    • Deep Out Zone KO

• Von Miller

  • Fearmonger

    • Adrenaline Rush
    • No Outsiders
    • Edge Threat

Broncos

• Russell Wilson

  • Blitz Radar

    • Gunslinger
    • Dashing Deadeye
    • Agile Extender
    • Gutsy Scrambler

Browns

• Myles Garrett

  • Unstoppable Force

    • Strip Specialist
    • El Toro
    • Edge Threat

• Nick Chubb

  • Wrecking Ball

    • Bruiser
    • Reach for It
    • Balance Beam

Buccaneers

• Lavonte David

  • Run Stuffer

    • Lurker
    • Deflator
    • Mid Zone KO

• Mike Evans

  • Double Me

    • Deep Out Elite
    • Mid In Elite
    • Red Zone Threat

• Tom Brady

  • Pro Reads

    • Hot Route Master
    • Conductor
    • Set Feet Lead
    • Fearless

Chargers

• Derwin James Jr. 

  • Reinforcement

    • Unfakeable
    • Lumberjack
    • Flat Zone KO

• Joey Bosa
  

  • Unstoppable Force

    • Swim Club
    • No Outsiders
    • Edge Threat

• Keenan Allen

  • Max Security

    • Outside Apprentice
    • Mid Route Elite
    • Slot-O-Matic

• Khalil Mack

  • Unstoppable Force

    • Strip Specialist
    • No Outsiders
    • Edge Threat

Chiefs

• Chris Jones

  • Momentum Shift

    • El Toro
    • Goal Line Stuff
    • Under Pressure

• Patrick Mahomes

  • Bazooka

    • Comeback
    • Dashing Deadeye
    • Red Zone Deadeye
    • No-Look Deadeye
    • Pass Lead Elite

• Travis Kelce

  • Double Me 

    • Leap Frog
    • TE Apprentice
    • Deep Out Elite

Colts

• Darius Leonard

  • Shutdown

    • Unfakeable
    • Strip Specialist
    • Out My Way

• Deforest Buckner

  • Unstoppable Force

    • El Toro
    • Inside Stuff
    • Under Pressure

• Jonathan Taylor

  • Freight Train

    • Arm Bar
    • Juke Box
    • Close
    • Goal Line Back

Commanders

• Jonathan Allen

  • Momentum Shift

    • Reach Elite
    • Inside Stuff
    • Run Stopper

• Terry McLaurin

  • Ankle Breaker

    • Outside Apprentice
    • Runoff Elite
    • Deep In Elite

Cowboys

• Dak Prescott

  • Blitz Radar

    • Anchored Extender
    • Gutsy Scrambler
    • Inside Deadeye

• Micah Parsons

  • Unstoppable Force

    • Out My Way
    • Secure Tackler
    • Edge Threat

Dolphins

• Tyreek Hill

  • RAC ‘Em Up

    • Juke Box
    • Short Out Elite
    • Grab-N-Go

Packers

• Aaron Rodgers

  • Dots

    • Gunslinger
    • Roaming Deadeye
    • Pass Lead Elite

• Jaire Alexander

  • Shutdown

    • Acrobat
    • Short Route KO
    • Deep Out Zone KO

Panthers

• Christian McCaffrey

  • Ankle Breaker

    • Evasive
    • Leap  Frog
    • Playmaker
    • Backfield Master

Raiders

• Chandler Jones

  • Fearmonger

    • Reach Elite
    • Strip Specialist
    • Edge Threat Elite

• Darren Waller

  • YAC ‘Em Up

    • TE Apprentice
    • Short Out Elite
    • Short In Elite

• Davante Adams

  • Double Me

    • Route Technician
    • Outside Presence
    • Red Zone Threat

LA Rams

• Aaron Donald

  • Blitz 

    • El Toro
    • Inside Stuff
    • No Outsiders
    • Under Pressure

• Bobby Wagner

  • Avalanche

    • Enforcer
    • Out My Way
    • Tackle Supreme

• Cooper Kupp

  • RAC ‘Em Up

    • Persistent
    • Red Zone Threat
    • Slot-O-Matic
    • Deep In Elite

• Jalen Ramsey

  • Bottleneck

    • Acrobat
    • One Step Ahead
    • Bench Press

Ravens

• Lamar Jackson

  • Truzz

    • Juke Box
    • Tight Ou
    • Fastbreak

Saints

• Alvin Kamara

  • Satellite

    • RB Apprentice
    • Juke Box
    • Matchup Nightmare

• Cameron Jordan

  • Unstoppable Force

    • Instant Rebate
    • No Outsiders
    • Edge Threat Elite

• Tyrann Mathieu

  • Reinforcement

    • Acrobat
    • Flat Zone KO 
    • Short Route KO

Seahawks

• D.K. Metcalf

  • Double Me

    • Outside Apprentice
    • Deep Out Elite
    • Red Zone Threat

Steelers

• Cameron Heyward

  • Fearmonger

    • Unpredictable
    • El Toro
    • Inside Stuff

• T.J. Watt

  • Unstoppable Force

    • Strip Specialist
    • No Outsiders
    • Edge Threat

Titans

• Derrick Henry

  • Freight Train

    • Arm Bar
    • Tank
    • Backlash
    • Closer

Vikings

• Dalvin Cook

  • First One Free

    • Energizer
    • Juke Box
    • Balance Beam

• Justin Jefferson

  • Double Me

    • Outside Apprentice
    • Route Technician
    • Short In Elite
    • Deep Out Elite’

Every Superstar Player

49ers

• Trent Williams

  • All Day
  • Post Up
  • Edge Protector
  • Nasty Streak

Bengals

• Ja’marr Chase

  • Runoff Elite
  • Mid In Elite

• Jesse Bates III
  
• Joe Mixon
  

Bills

• Micah Hyde

  • Pick Artist
  • Medium Route KO

• Jordan Poyer

  • Deep Out Zone KO
  • Mid Zone KO

Browns

• Amari Cooper

  • Route Technician
  • Outsider Apprentice

• Wyatt Teller
  

Buccaneers

• Chris Godwin

  • Slot-O-Matic
  • Mid In Elite

• Ryan Jensen
  
• Shaquil Barret

  • Strip Sepcialist
  • Edge Threat

• Tristan Wirfs

  • Secure Protector
  • Natural Talent

• Vita Vea
  

Cardinals

• Budda Baker
  
• J.J. Watt
  
• Kyler Murray

  • Gunslinger
  • Dashing Deadeye

• Rodney Hudson
  

Chargers

• Austin Ekeler

  • Energizer
  • Backfield Master

• JC Jackson

  • Acrobat
  • Pick Artist
  • Outside Shade

• Justin Herbert

  • Pass Lead Elite
  • Sideline Deadeye
  • High Point Deadeye

• Mike Williams

  • Outside Apprentice
  • Deep Out Elite

Colts

• Quenton Nelson

  • Puller Elite
  • Nasty Streak

• Stephon Gilmore

  • Acrobat
  • Pick Artist
  • Flat Zone KO

Commanders

• Chase Young

  • Speedster
  • Adrenaline Rush
  • No Outsiders

Cowboys

• Ceedee Lamb

  • Outside Apprentice
  • Mid Out Elite
  • Short Out Elite

• Ezekiel Elliot
  
• Trevon Diggs
  
• Tyron Smith
  
• Zach Martin
  

Dolphins

• Terron Armstead

  • Secure Protector
  • Edge Protector

• Xavien Howard
  

Eagles

• Darius Slay Jr.
  
• Fletcher Cox

  • Under Pressure
  • Secure Tackler

• Jason Kelce

  • Natural Talent
  • Screen Protector

• Lane Johnson

  • Fool Me Once
  • Nasty Streak

Falcons

• Cordarrelle Patterson

  • Recuperation
  • Backfield Master

• Kyle Pitts

  • Mid In Elite
  • Red Zone Threat

Jaguars

Jets

• Mekhi Becton

  • Puller Elite
  • Nasty Streak

Packers

• David Bakhtiari
  
• Kenny Clark

  • Unpredictable
  • Inside Stuff

Panthers

• Brian Burns

  • Speedster
  • Strip Specialist

• D.J. Moore

  • Mid Out Elite
  • Short Out elite

Patriots

• Devin McCourty
  
• Matthew Judon
  

Rams

• Matthew Stafford

  • Set Feet Lead
  • Long Range Deadeye
  • Quick Draw

Ravens

• Calais Campbell
  
• Mark Andrews

  • Mid In Elite
  • Matchup Nightmare

• Marlon Humphrey

  • Short Route KO
  • Deep Route KO
  • inside Shade

• Ronnie Stanley

  • Secure Protector
  • Edge Protector

Saints

• Demario Davis

  • Outmatched
  • Out My Way
  • Secure Tackler

• Marshon Lattimore

  • On the Ball
  • Deep Route KO

• Michael Thomas

  • WR Apprentice
  • Short In Elite
  • Short Out Elite

• Ryan Ramczyk

  • Fool Me Once
  • Edge Protector

Seahawks

Steelers

• Diontae Johnson

  • Short In Elite
  • Short Out Elite

• Minkah Fitzpatrick
  
• Myles Jack
  

Titans

• Jeffery Simmons
  
• Kevin Byard

  • Pick Artist
  • Deep in Zone KO

Vikings

• Adam Thielen

  • Slot Apprentice
  • Slot-O-Matic
  • Mid Out Elite

• Danielle Hunter
  
• Eric Kendricks
  
• Harrison Smith

  • Enforcer
  • Stonewall
  • Flat Zone KO

• Za’Darius Smith

  • Out My Way
  • Mr. Big Stop
  • Edge Threat Elite

Those are all of the X-Factors and Superstar abilities in Madden 23. Are you ready for some football? Get out there and dominate. For more, check out our other Madden 23 guides.