Madden 21: X-Factor abilities for six elite QBs revealed

Madden 21 X-Factor reveal week kicks off with five quarterback abilities.

Last year, in an attempt to make the NFL’s star players stand out, EA introduced X-Factor abilities into its Madden franchise. Debuting in Madden 20, only the league’s elite players were designated as “X-Factors” and, as such, received special in-game abilities that could be activated by meeting a conditional. Triggering the condition would unlock the ability, granting the player a special boost to a specific area of the game. X-Factors will once again be returning in Madden 21, with some new and some updated abilities for players.

Madden 21 will feature over 50 X-Factor abilities. They’ll be revealed each day throughout the week. Kicking things off, EA focused on the X-Factor abilities for the league’s top quarterbacks.

Patrick Mahomes – Bazooka

"“Generational arm strength”"

Patrick Mahomes, the best-rated quarterback in Madden 21 with a 99 overall, possesses the Bazooka ability. As if he needed to be any more elite but there’s no arguing he deserves this. Bazooka

provides an increase to his throwing distance when he is in the zone and is activated by completing a 30-plus yard pass. He’s knocked out of the zone upon taking a sack.

Russell Wilson – Blitz Radar

"Defensive Recogntion"

Russell Wilson will have the Blitz Radar X-Factor ability which highlights extra blitzers. It’s activated by achieving three scrambles of 10-plus yards and removed if he takes two sacks. This feels a bit weird because although it has to do with Wilson’s scrambling ability, I feel like pocket passers like Tom Brady and Drew Brees also have some pretty darn good blitz awareness. Brady has zero mobility but is plenty capable of recognizing defenses.

Tom Brady and Drew Brees – Pro Reads

"“Keep the chains moving”"

EA opted to give both Tom Brady and Drew Brees the Pro Reads ability which reflects their ability to read defenses and find the open receiver quickly while simultaneously ignoring pressure. Pro Reads is triggered by completing three consecutive completions of five-plus yards which is right in their wheelhouse. They are knocked out of the zone by taking sack. Overall, I’d say this is very reflective of the type of both Brady’s and Brees’s playstyle. Both have a knack for finding the open receiver quickly and getting rid of the ball before the pressure gets to them. They have mastered the art of the quick release.

Lamar Jackson – Truzz

"Possession over all else."

Lamar Jackson, the Madden 21 cover athlete, has the Truzz ability. This prevents him from fumbling when in the zone. This is perfect for a player like Jackson who has an innate ability to run with the ball and make plays with his feet. It seems pretty easy for Jackson to enter the zone; he only needs five one-plus yard runs. However, it’s just as easy to knock him out of it with just one tackle for a loss. It seems this ability is designed to focus on Jackson’s ability to run the ball which makes sense considering he’s so darn good at it. With this ability, you can do so freely without fear of fumbling on a big hit.

Aaron Rodgers – Gambler

"Takes calculated risks."

Aaron Rodgers may not have gotten love in the overall rating department but at least he possesses an X-Factor ability. As a Gambler, Rodgers’ faster passes can’t be intercepted by AI defenders, which reflects his ability to make some insane throws that somehow don’t wind up in the hands of defenders in real life. Rodgers can enter the zone by completing three consecutive passes of five-plus yards and is knocked out by throwing two incompletions.