Jets CB Sauce Gardner gets X-Factor in latest Madden 24 patch notes

The latest title update for Madden 24 is here, and it finally gives New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner an X-Factor ability. Even though he is just in his second year, he is already one of the best cornerbacks in the game. He has a very high overall rating, so the X-Factor he’s been given is just the cherry on top. Along with that, other players have been downgraded out of their abilities, and bug fixes were sent in. Here are all of the updates Electronic Arts made to its game.

Madden 24 patch notes: Sauce Gardner X-Factor, downgraded players, and more

Here are the official patch notes straight from EA Sports. As mentioned, Sauce Gardner getting an X-Factor is among the biggest news, but he’s not the only player to have been given new abilities. He is given Shutdown, which makes perfect sense given how well he does at shutting down opposing wide receivers. Read everything that changed below.

Official Madden 24 patch notes:

• Jets – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
• Cowboys – DeMarcus Lawrence
  • Run Stuffer (X-Factor)
  • No Outsiders
  • Instant Rebate
  • Edge Threat
• Saints – Marshon Lattimore
  • Shutdown (X-Factor)
  • Bench Press
• Falcons – Jessie Bates III
  • Shutdown (X-Factor)
  • Pick Artist

New Superstar Players and Added Abilities

• Rams – Puka Nacua
  • Short Out Elite
  • Mid In Elite
• Texans – CJ Stroud
• Cowboys – Tony Pollard
• Falcons – Bijan Robinson
• Eagles – DeVonta Smith
  • Runoff Elite
  • Mid Out Elite
• Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa
  • Sideline Deadeye
  • Fearless
• 49ers – Brock Purdy
  • Gutsy Scrambler
  • Inside Deadeye
• Vikings – T.J. Hockenson
  • Mid Inside Elite
  • Short Inside Elite
• Jaguars – Foyesade Oluokun
  • Tackle Supreme
  • Flat Zone KO
• Seahawks – Kenneth Walker III
  • Arm Bar
  • Matchup Nightmare
• Eagles – Jalen Carter
  • Unpredictable
  • Reach Elite
• Jaguars – Josh Allen
  • Edge Threat
  • Strip Specialist
• 49ers – Brandon Aiyuk
  • Mid In Elite
  • Deep In Elite
• Eagles – D’Andre Swift
• Lions – Aidan Hutchinson

Downgraded X-Factor Players

• Dalvin Cook
• DeForest Buckner
• Joe Burrow
• Joey Bosa

Downgraded Superstar Players

• Chandler Jones
• Alvin Kamara
• Calais Campbell
• Tee Higgins
• Fletcher Cox

GAMEPLAY:

• Re-Fixed the issue causing the kick meter menu to move after a pause and sometimes cover up the kick meter.
  • DEV NOTE: Due to an integration issue merging the two previous title updates, a specific UI package did not reload appropriately in the latest patch and re-introduced this kicking menu issue.
• Fixed an issue with avoidance logic sometimes causing receivers to stop their route when running a slant route.
• Fixed an issue sometimes causing a user-controlled defender to attempt an effort-catch instead of an actual catch attempt.
• Fixed an issue causing the ‘Poor Visibility’ Dynamic Gameday modifier to impact the QB on the home team. 
• Fixed an issue causing the kick returner to sometimes warp/slide when catching a kickoff.
• Fixed several issues preventing safeties in man coverage from aligning appropriately to split out running backs in the Dime 2-3 formation.
• Fixed an issue causing the tight end to align offsides when using an audible to go from Gun Empty HB Wide to Gun Empty Chips Quad.
• Fixed a rare issue preventing the ball carrier from being ruled down correctly after falling from a trip/stumble resulting from a low dive tackle from behind. 
• Fixed an issue causing a player to freeze after attempting an early lunge tackle out of bounds.
• Tuning to increase interception catch-chance.

Blocking

• Fixed an issue preventing the right tackle from targeting the defensive end when next to a block-and-release tight end.
• Fixed an issue preventing the defensive end from getting targeted after using a hot route to put a tight-split receiver in a block-and-release assignment into a streak route.
• Fixed an issue causing defensive linemen to sometimes get stuck in certain blocking animations for the entire play.
• Fixed an issue causing an elite edge rusher engaged in a double team to shed to the inside, allowing the QB to easily escape the pocket.
• Fixed an issue causing the center and guard to run into each other on the RPO Pin Alert Bubble play.
• Fixed an issue causing the pulling guard to stutter-step after coming out of his stance when running Gun Slot Offset RPO Counter Read.
• Fixed an issue allowing the blitzing nickelback to be unblocked on Dollar DB Fire 2 vs. I-Form Slot Close.

Post Play

• Added new signature walks, stances, gestures, and facial animations for:
  • Bills QB Josh Allen
  • Vikings WR Justin Jefferson
  • Cowboys LB Micah Parsons
  • Jets CB Sauce Gardner
• Fixed the chest-pound celebration for 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey so he places the ball in the correct hand.
• Fixed an issue causing Cardinals QB Kyler Murrary’s feet/body to sometimes twitch after the whistle.
• Fixed an issue causing the ball to flip/warp in the QB’s hands when transitioning into a Pocket-idle animation from an under-center 5-step dropback.

FRANCHISE MODE:

DEV NOTE: The following changes are exclusive to the Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

• Updated Franchise Superstar/X-Factor abilities to align with Front End. 
• Reworked Franchise Tag Selection Logic for AI Controlled Teams.
  • DEV NOTE: AI controlled teams will look into using the Franchise Tag based on a variety of new factors. The AI will factor in the player’s development trait which helps make up his overall player value. They will also look at the player’s desired contract and compare that to the Franchise Tag salary for their specific position as another factor into who they will tag.
• Desired Contract Earnings will now scale relative to the Salary Cap Growth at the end of each Season.
  • DEV NOTE: Previously as you would get further along in your Franchise, the overall Salary Cap would go up, but players’ desired contracts at their position would not go up equally. 
• Fixed a handful of Franchise News text bugs.

DEV NOTE: This update is implemented on all platforms.

MADDEN ULTIMATE TEAM:

• Fixed an issue where Event specific currencies would randomly disappear from the screen and reappear later.
• Fixed an issue in SSKO that would auto-select the second pick.
• Fixed an issue that caused field passes in the Live Events tab to not have filled progress bars even if the field pass was complete.
• Fix an issue that caused the archetype text on cards to turn gray and become difficult to read.
• Fixed an issue that caused the point balance to visually display 0 after attempting to purchase a field pass level without enough points.
• Fixed an issue where the direct purchase panel on the play tab was not updating how many packs had been purchased.
• Fixed an issue that caused the timer on champions events to disappear after starting a champions game.
• Fixed an issue that caused stats not to populate when comparing players in a field pass.
• Fixed an issue that caused the field pass bar not to update after purchasing a field pass level until the user re-entered MUT.
• Updated Headliners XP items to display proper rarity.
• Removed the sets menu tile if there are no sets present.
• Fixed an issue that caused an error in squads when trying to view a teammate’s lineup.
• Added Rank icons to the Champions leaderboard.

SUPERSTAR MODE:

• Fixed an issue where incorrect stats were showing for my CAP during Off Season flow.
• Fixed an issue where the “Lions Roar Back” news portrait had a Panthers player in the background.
• Fixed an issue where Get 2+ Hitsticks progress was shown as 0/1 in game.
• Fixed an issue where the Washington Football Team jersey was being used for Commanders.
• Fixed an issue where Patrick Mahomes’ logo appears as the Raiders on “Opposites Attract” news.
• Fixed various script loss and crash issues related to stability.
• Fixed an issue where REP appeared instead of XP in the Booster Description on the Customize screen.
• Fixed an issue where the 3D avatar was not displayed in the Booster screen.
• Fixed an issue where animations appeared locked after purchase if not equipped during the purchase flow.
• Fixed an issue in Showdown Mode where the player was taken to the hub screen after returning from an event.
• Fixed an issue in Showdown Mode where player hud was overlapping the EGF screen after leveling up in an SD match.
• Fixed an issue causing a broken gameplay camera when attempting to use hurry-up offense on 3rd down.

NFL AUTHENTICITY:

• Fixed multiple gloves with logo-mirroring issues, specifically Jordan and Adidas branded gloves.
• Fixed multiple issues around generic head hair/skin areas.
• Fixed Patriots warning label color on helmet.
• Fixed Melvin Gordon’s skull cap placement.
• Fixed Broncos White helmet side logo to be accurate.
• Fixed issue with Browns front number placement on their 2017 uniforms.
• Fixed issue with Vapor Edge Elite 360 2 cleat appearing black on one side.
• Fixed a number of small clipping issues on coach and player heads.
• Updated Derek Carr’s hair and beard.

PRESENTATION:

• Fixed text for wipe in pregame at international stadiums.
• Fixed post play camera appearing inside the edge wall near midfield at MCS stadium.
• Fixed out-of-focus post play camera of head coach on the sideline.

UI:

• Various stability updates.
• Various player portrait updates.
• Various UI polish updates.

AUDIO:

• Fixed the issue with player spotlight audio being cut off during pregame.

There are a lot of changes to the game made with the arrival of Season 3. You will absolutely want to update your game’s application, whether on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, so that you don’t miss out on the above changes. Everything in these Madden 24 patch notes was changed, so be ready to spend a bit of time updating.

That’s all for the latest update’s Madden 24 patch notes, but be sure to check out the latest Team of the Week and some Black Friday deals!