Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack and 5 Madden ’21 franchise cornerstones

Many of the Madden ’21 ratings have come out in the past several days and the Chicago Bears boast one of the top franchise mode starters.

If you are a typical fan of the Chicago Bears, the summer months are probably filled with scouring the web for the latest team news, quotes and sound bites. Without football, all we do is look forward to the fall when it returns. However, this has been an unusual offseason, to say the least. It’s been much, much longer than any offseason in recent memory.

The past few months have probably seen more video games played than any similar period in history. Due to quarantine life and a lack of sports, we have all had to cope and stay busy in any way possible. For football fans, they will finally have the new installment of the Madden franchise on August 25th.

Starting back in June of 1988, the Madden franchise has gripped the hearts and souls of football fans everywhere. Many of us remember how those graphics began, but now, they’re as realistic as ever.

A staple in the game, for years now, is the franchise mode. Gamers can choose to take either an existing franchise and roster as far as they possibly can down the road, or start fresh with a draft.

If you elect to begin with a draft, that first pick is crucial. Do you go quarterback? Do you automatically go for a player with that oh-so-coveted 99 overall rating? How do you choose that first, all-important cornerstone for your franchise?

There are tons of strategies for different gamers, but that first pick has to be perfect. If you land in the top five picks, it’s even more critical. Luckily, there are some obvious choices — including Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack. But, who else belongs in that top-5 category? Let’s analyze.