NFL star Mecole Hardman slams Madden 23 as the “worst ever”

Ryan Lemay
nfl player fending off tackle in madden

Madden 23 reviewed mixed reviews, and NFL wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. labeled it the “worst Madden ever.”

Madden 23‘s most significant gameplay change, FIELDSENSE, redefines player animations and skill-based passing overhauls quarterback play.

Inspired by skill-based shooting in FIFA, EA added skill-based passing into its football franchise. Players use power and accuracy placement to have complete control over passing.

Skill-based passing increases Madden’s skill gap and forces more than simply pressing a button.

However, Madden players such as NFL wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. believe it’s a step back for the franchise.

NFL player criticizes Madden 23

madden 23
Madden 23 overhauls the passing system.

A semi-circular meter above the receivers’ heads indicates accuracy and power.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. Tweeted, “this may be the worst Madden ever.”

The NFL player’s Tweet received over 15,000 likes and 800 comments with similar opinions.

Hardman Jr. is not the first NFL player to speak out against EA’s game. NFL star Matthew Judon called out Madden for a botched in-game player face.

The wide receivers’ complaint stems from the new skill-based passing system. Hardman Jr. argued, “I’ll rather do classic passing fr lol,” and “who puts a meter on Madden?”

Initially, players only controlled the power of their passes. Passes were affected by how long you held a receiver’s button.

Former NFL star Chad Johnson joked, “check your new rating after practice after this comment.”

The NFL receiver is not worried about his player rating but is less than pleased with the current state of Madden 23.

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About The Author

Ryan is a former games writer for Dexerto. Ryan graduated from Ithaca College in 2021 with a sports media degree and a journalism minor. He gained experience as a writer for the Morning Times newspaper before joining Dexerto as a games writer. He mainly writes about first-person shooters, including Call of Duty and Battlefield, but he is also a big FIFA fan.