Madden 22: Superstar X-Factor Abilities for quarterbacks
Introduced in Madden 20, Superstar X-Factor abilities are a special way to distinguish the league’s elite players from the rest. When activated, a Superstar X-Factor enhances a player’s abilities by providing a special boost.
Each position has its own set of X-Factor abilities, and today EA revealed the five X-Factors for quarterbacks in Madden 22. There are a total of five X-Factor abilities in Madden 22 at launch. Check them out below.
Bazooka
The Bazooka X-Factor Ability increases max throwing distance (83 yards total). A player can trigger this ability by completing one pass of 30-plus yards in the air but can be knocked out by one sack.
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs, QB)
Patrick Mahomes is the only quarterback rated 99 in Madden 22 at launch. Considered the “baby GOAT,” Mahomes at just 25-years-old has taken the NFL by storm. His strong arm, pinpoint accuracy and uncanny ability to make something out of nothing, earns him the “Bazooka” X-Factor ability.
Blitz Radar
The Blitz Radar X-Factor Ability allows the quarterback to highlight extra blitzers, although this can be bluffed. You can activate this ability by achieving three scrambles of ten yards or longer. You are knocked out by getting sacked twice.
Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks, QB)
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will begin Madden 22 with the Blitz Radar X-Factor. Wilson is an elite-level quarterback with dual-threat capability and fantastic field vision. As we saw at the beginning of last year, when he’s on, he can be just as good (or better) as Mahomes, Brady or Rodgers.
Gambler
The Gambler X-Factor Ability is all about players who take calculated risks. When in the Zone, faster passes can’t be picked off by AI defenders. You can trigger the Gambler by completing three consecutive passes of five yards or more. Two incompletions will knock you out of it.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers, QB)
Aaron Rodgers 48:5 touchdown to interception ratio last season seems like he’s got all the cards in his hand. Given his ability to protect the ball, this is the perfect trait for him.
Pro Reads
The Pro Reads X-Factor Ability highlights the first open target and ignores pressure. You can activate this by completing three consecutive passes of five-plus yards, and are knocked out with just a single sack.
Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB)
The GOAT, Tom Brady has mastered the art of reading defenses. At 44-years-old, what Brady lacks in physical ability, he more than makes up for mental ability and experience on the field. There’s no defense he hasn’t already scene and he’s a master at picking apart coverage.
Truzz
Given how the quarterback position has evolved over the last couple of years, Truzz is perfect for this new dual-threat generation. You can activate the Truzz X-Factor with five 1+ yard runs. When activated, you can’t fumble in the end zone. A single tackle for loss will knock you out of it.
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens, QB)
The only quarterback to rush for 1,000-plus yards last season, Jackson is gifted with the Truzz X-Factor. But given Kyler Murray’s tendency to make plays with his feet, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get it as well eventually.
Next. Madden 22: All 32 starting quarterback ratings at launch. dark
Madden 21 featured over 50 X-Factor abilities, so it’s likely Madden 22 will have somewhere around the same number.