If you're still playing Madden 25 in 2025, you're probably frustrated with one of EA's most consistent letdowns — the lack of post-Super Bowl roster updates. Once the season ends, EA essentially stops touching the game, which means you're stuck with outdated rosters unless you fork over cash for Madden 26. Thankfully, there's a workaround that lets you get updated rosters with the latest trades, free agent signings, and rookies added in. In this article, we'll show you exactly how to do it step-by-step for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players.
Why You Need Community Rosters
EA doesn't bother updating Madden rosters after the Super Bowl, even though the NFL offseason is one of the most dynamic periods in the league. Fans want to see how players like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields move teams, or how rookies like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward fit into their new franchises. But EA would rather you buy a whole new game.
That's where community rosters come in. Thanks to creators in the Madden community, you can still enjoy the most accurate rosters by downloading files made and maintained by real players. You'll find updated depth charts, adjusted jersey numbers, trades, free agency moves, and even the latest draft picks already placed on their respective teams.
Step-by-Step Guide for PS5 Users
If you're on PlayStation 5, follow these instructions to download the updated Madden 26-style rosters.
Step 1: Navigate to the Download Center
• From the main Madden 25 menu, go into Settings.
• Open the Creation Center, then select Download Community Files.
Step 2: Search for the Updated Roster
• Once inside the download menu, use R1/L1 to scroll over to the Rosters tab.
• Hit Search and input the gamertag: Frosted Vic
• Make sure you spell it exactly as shown, including capitalization and spacing.
Step 3: Select the Correct File
• When you see the roster named something like “Updated Roster,” click on it.
• Ignore the version numbers (like “Updated Roster 43”) — those just show how many times the creator has made adjustments. Always download the most recent one at the top of the list.
Step 4: Download and Load the File
• After downloading the roster, go back to the main Creation Center menu.
• Choose Load and Delete Files, then go to the Rosters section.
• Select the updated roster file and hit Load.
You should now see the updated teams when you go to Edit Rosters. For example, on the Steelers, you'll find Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and Will Howard. DK Metcalf is also listed on the Steelers if that's where the creator has placed him. On the Ravens, you might find newly drafted safety Malaki Starks. These files even include updated player numbers and most depth chart corrections.
Step-by-Step Guide for Xbox Series X|S Users
The process is nearly identical for Xbox Series players, but with one key difference: the gamertag used to find the roster file.
Step 1: Go to the Download Center
• Head to Settings > Creation Center > Download Community Files.
Step 2: Search by Gamertag
• Navigate to the Rosters tab.
• Search for the gamertag (check the top comment or description of this article for the Xbox tag).
• Select the correct updated roster file once it appears.
Step 3: Load the Roster
• Return to the Creation Center, then go into Load and Delete Files.
• Go to Roster Files, then select the updated roster and click Load.
Once you return to Edit Rosters, you should see new rookies and correct offseason team assignments.
Testing It in Franchise Mode
A lot of players want to know if these updated rosters work in Franchise mode — and yes, they do.
How to Start a Franchise with Updated Rosters:
1. Go to Franchise mode from the main menu.
2. Select Create New League.
3. Choose Offline Solo (this guarantees stability).
4. When prompted to choose your roster type, select Use Custom Roster File.
5. Choose the updated file you just downloaded.
After loading in, select any team you'd like. Let's say you choose the Titans. If Cam Ward has been assigned to that team, you'll now find him on the depth chart. If the player is there but listed with a normal development trait, that's fine — you can change that manually.
How to Edit Player Traits and Contracts
Unfortunately, Madden doesn't let creators adjust development traits or contracts through shared roster files. But here's how you can manually fix that:
1. Go to your Franchise screen.
2. Select Manage Roster, then Edit Player.
3. From there, change the Development Trait to Star, Superstar, or X-Factor.
4. Scroll to the Contract tab and set the appropriate deal — for example, rookies typically have a 4-year deal with a 5th-year option.
You now have total control over your player's development path and salary.
Can You Use This Online?
You might be able to, but it's not guaranteed. Most users report better results sticking to Offline Franchise mode. Online Franchise sometimes has issues syncing the roster files, and the game may default back to EA's outdated version. If you want to use the updated rosters online, your best bet is to experiment — but don't be surprised if things break or reset.
Final Thoughts
EA Sports may never give us the flexibility we want with roster updates, but the Madden community always steps up. Thanks to NBA2King, we're able to keep the game alive with accurate team rosters, updated rookie classes, realistic depth charts, and Madden 25 coins. Whether you're prepping for another season of Franchise mode or just want to play with your favorite team's new draft picks, community files are the way to go.
So if you're still playing Madden 25 in 2025 and don't want to waste money buying Madden 26 just for a roster refresh, this method gives you exactly what you need.