Last year, Electronic Arts added Superstar X-Factor abilities to the Madden franchise. Superstar X-Factors are special in-game abilities that can be activated by completing a trigger, which is simply just a number of objectives. Once the trigger is completed, the X-Factor ability becomes active, giving a particular player an in-game boost. This ability will remain active until that player receives a ‘Knockdown.’

Superstar X-Factor abilities have returned once again this year, and the Madden team has announced which players will start the year with these special abilities. But before we get into which players have Superstar X-Factors in Madden 21, let’s briefly go over each X-Factor ability that we know so far, including what each one does and how to activate these powers:

Ankle Breaker

  • Position: RB/WRAbility: Increased fakeout rates on skill moves following the catchTrigger: Three 10+ yard receptionsKnockdown: One drop, incompletion or three consecutive non-targets

Bazooka

  • Position: QBAbility: Max throwing distance increased by 15+ yards (80 yards total) when activeTrigger: One completed pass of 30+ yardsKnockdown: One sack

Blitz Radar

  • Position: QBAbility: Extra blitzers that are not defensive lineman are highlighted during the playTrigger: Three scrambles of 10+ yardsKnockdown: Two sacks

Double Me

  • Position: WRAbility: Wins aggressive catches versus single coverageTrigger: Two receptions of 20+ yards in airKnockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

First One Free

  • Position: RBAbility: High fake-out rate on next juke, spin or hesiTrigger: Three rushes of 10+ yardsKnockdown: One tackle for loss

Freight Train

  • Position: RBAbility: Increased chance to break next tackle attemptTrigger: Three rushes of 10+ yardsKnockdown: One tackle for loss

Gambler

  • Position Ability: QBAbility: Can’t be intercepted by AI defendersTrigger: Three consecutive completions of 5+ yardsKnockdown: Two incompletions

Max Security

  • Position: WRAbility: High success rate on possession catchesTrigger: Four consecutive completionsKnockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

Pro Reads

  • Position: QBAbility: Highlights the first open receiver while in the pocketTrigger: Three consecutive completions of 5+ yardsKnockdown: One sack

RAC ‘Em Up

  • Position: WRAbility: Wins RAC (run after catch) catches versus single coverageTrigger: Three receptions of 20+ yardsKnockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

Truzz

  • Position: QBAbility: Can’t fumbleTrigger: Five 1+ yard runsKnockdown: One tackle for loss

Wrecking Ball

  • Position: RBAbility: High success rate on next three trucks or stiff-armsTrigger: Three rushes of 10+ yardsKnockdown: One tackle for loss

YAC ‘Em Up

  • Position: WR/TEAbility: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackleTrigger: Three 20+ yard receptionsKnockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

Avalanche

  • Position: LB/SAbility: Downhill hit-sticks force fumblesTrigger: Three hit-stick tacklesKnockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

Blitz

  • Position: DE/DTAbility: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wipedTrigger: Two defensive line sacksKnockdown: One down played

Bottleneck

  • Position: CBAbility: Dominantly win man press attemptsTrigger: Two forced incompletionsKnockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

Fearmonger

  • Position: DE/DT/LBAbility: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blockerTrigger: Two defensive line sacksKnockdown: 20 offensive yards allowed

Momentum Shift

  • Position: DE/DTAbility: On-field opponents have Ability progress wipedTrigger: Three hit-stick tackles, or two defensive line sacksKnockdown: One down played

Reinforcement

  • Position: SAbility: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catchesTrigger: Two tackles for loss, or two incompletionsKnockdown: 20 offensive yards allowed

Relentless

  • Position: DEAbility: Rush moves no longer cost pointsTrigger: One sack or tackle for lossKnockdown: 20 offensive yards allowed

Run Stuffer

  • Position: DE/DTAbility: Block shedding becomes more effective versus run playsTrigger: Two tackles for lossKnockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

Shutdown

  • Position: CBAbility: Tighter coverage and more interceptions on contested catchesTrigger: Two forced incompletionsKnockdown: 30 offensive yards

Unstoppable Force

  • Position: DE/LBAbility: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block sheddingTrigger: Two defensive line sacksKnockdown: 10 offensive yards allowed

Zone Hawk

  • Position: SAbility: More interceptions in zone coverageTrigger: Two forced incompletionsKnockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

And as for the players who have these abilities, here’s the full list of every player who has a Superstar X-Factor, sorted by position:

Quarterbacks

  • Patrick Mahomes – BazookaRussell Wilson – Blitz RadarAaron Rodgers – GamblerDrew Brees – Pro ReadsTom Brady – Pro ReadsLamar Jackson – Truzz

Running Backs

  • Christian McCaffrey – Ankle BreakerDalvin Cook – First One FreeDerrick Henry – Freight TrainEzekiel Elliott – Freight TrainNick Chubb – Wrecking BallSaquon Barkley – First One Free

Wide Receivers

  • Amari Cooper – Max SecurityDavante Adams – Double MeDeAndre Hopkins – Double MeJulio Jones – Double MeKeenan Allen – Max SecurityMichael Thomas – Max SecurityMike Evans – Double MeStefon Diggs – RAC ‘Em UpTyreek Hill – RAC ‘Em Up

Tight Ends

  • George Kittle – YAC ‘Em UpTravis Kelce – Double Me

Defensive Ends

  • Aaron Donald – BlitzCalais Campbell – Run StufferCameron Jordan – Unstoppable ForceDanielle Hunter – Unstoppable ForceDeMarcus Lawrence – Unstoppable ForceJ.J. Watt – RelentlessJoey Bosa – Unstoppable ForceMyles Garrett – Unstoppable ForceNick Bosa – Relentless

Defensive Tackles

  • Chris Jones – Momentum ShiftFletcher Cox – Fearmonger

Linebackers

  • Chandler Jones – FearmongerKhalil Mack – Unstoppable ForceT.J. Watt – Unstoppable ForceBobby Wagner – AvalancheVon Miller – Fearmonger

Cornerbacks

  • Jaire Alexander – ShutdownJalen Ramsey – BottleneckRichard Sherman – ShutdownStephon Gilmore – ShutdownTre’Davious White – Shutdown

Safeties

  • Derwin James Jr. – ReinforcementDevin McCourty – Zone HawkHarrison Smith – ReinforcementJamal Adams – AvalancheTyrann Mathieu – Reinforcement

Keep in mind that players can either gain or lose a Superstar X-Factor throughout the year, as Madden does base these ability assignments off of player performance in the NFL. We will update this list regularly throughout the life cycle of Madden 21 to reflect any changes to Superstar X-Factor ability assignments.