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:

Offense

Ankle Breaker

• Position: RB/WR
• Ability: Increased fakeout rates on skill moves following the catch
• Trigger: Three 10+ yard receptions
• Knockdown: One drop, incompletion or three consecutive non-targets

Bazooka

• Position: QB
• Ability: Max throwing distance increased by 15+ yards (80 yards total) when active
• Trigger: One completed pass of 30+ yards
• Knockdown: One sack

Blitz Radar

• Position: QB
• Ability: Extra blitzers that are not defensive lineman are highlighted during the play
• Trigger: Three scrambles of 10+ yards
• Knockdown: Two sacks

Double Me

• Position: WR
• Ability: Wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
• Trigger: Two receptions of 20+ yards in air
• Knockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

First One Free

• Position: RB
• Ability: High fake-out rate on next juke, spin or hesi
• Trigger: Three rushes of 10+ yards
• Knockdown: One tackle for loss

Freight Train

• Position: RB
• Ability: Increased chance to break next tackle attempt
• Trigger: Three rushes of 10+ yards
• Knockdown: One tackle for loss

Gambler

• Position Ability: QB
• Ability: Can’t be intercepted by AI defenders
• Trigger: Three consecutive completions of 5+ yards
• Knockdown: Two incompletions

Max Security

• Position: WR
• Ability: High success rate on possession catches
• Trigger: Four consecutive completions
• Knockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

Pro Reads

• Position: QB
• Ability: Highlights the first open receiver while in the pocket
• Trigger: Three consecutive completions of 5+ yards
• Knockdown: One sack

RAC ‘Em Up

• Position: WR
• Ability: Wins RAC (run after catch) catches versus single coverage
• Trigger: Three receptions of 20+ yards
• Knockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

Truzz

• Position: QB
• Ability: Can’t fumble
• Trigger: Five 1+ yard runs
• Knockdown: One tackle for loss

Wrecking Ball

• Position: RB
• Ability: High success rate on next three trucks or stiff-arms
• Trigger: Three rushes of 10+ yards
• Knockdown: One tackle for loss

YAC ‘Em Up

• Position: WR/TE
• Ability: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
• Trigger: Three 20+ yard receptions
• Knockdown: One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets

Defense

Avalanche

• Position: LB/S
• Ability: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
• Trigger: Three hit-stick tackles
• Knockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

Blitz

• Position: DE/DT
• Ability: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
• Trigger: Two defensive line sacks
• Knockdown: One down played

Bottleneck

• Position: CB
• Ability: Dominantly win man press attempts
• Trigger: Two forced incompletions
• Knockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

Fearmonger

• Position: DE/DT/LB
• Ability: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
• Trigger: Two defensive line sacks
• Knockdown: 20 offensive yards allowed

Momentum Shift

• Position: DE/DT
• Ability: On-field opponents have Ability progress wiped
• Trigger: Three hit-stick tackles, or two defensive line sacks
• Knockdown: One down played

Reinforcement

• Position: S
• Ability: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
• Trigger: Two tackles for loss, or two incompletions
• Knockdown: 20 offensive yards allowed

Relentless

• Position: DE
• Ability: Rush moves no longer cost points
• Trigger: One sack or tackle for loss
• Knockdown: 20 offensive yards allowed

Run Stuffer

• Position: DE/DT
• Ability: Block shedding becomes more effective versus run plays
• Trigger: Two tackles for loss
• Knockdown: 30 offensive yards allowed

Shutdown

• Position: CB
• Ability: Tighter coverage and more interceptions on contested catches
• Trigger: Two forced incompletions
• Knockdown: 30 offensive yards

Unstoppable Force

• Position: DE/LB
• Ability: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
• Trigger: Two defensive line sacks
• Knockdown: 10 offensive yards allowed

Zone Hawk

• Position: S
• Ability: More interceptions in zone coverage
• Trigger: Two forced incompletions
• Knockdown: 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:

Offense

Quarterbacks

• Patrick Mahomes – Bazooka
• Russell Wilson – Blitz Radar
• Aaron Rodgers – Gambler
• Drew Brees – Pro Reads
• Tom Brady – Pro Reads
• Lamar Jackson – Truzz

Running Backs

• Christian McCaffrey – Ankle Breaker
• Dalvin Cook – First One Free
• Derrick Henry – Freight Train
• Ezekiel Elliott – Freight Train
• Nick Chubb – Wrecking Ball
• Saquon Barkley – First One Free

Wide Receivers

• Amari Cooper – Max Security
• Davante Adams – Double Me
• DeAndre Hopkins – Double Me
• Julio Jones – Double Me
• Keenan Allen – Max Security
• Michael Thomas – Max Security
• Mike Evans – Double Me
• Stefon Diggs – RAC ‘Em Up
• Tyreek Hill – RAC ‘Em Up

Tight Ends

• George Kittle – YAC ‘Em Up
• Travis Kelce – Double Me

Defense

Defensive Ends

• Aaron Donald – Blitz
• Calais Campbell – Run Stuffer
• Cameron Jordan – Unstoppable Force
• Danielle Hunter – Unstoppable Force
• DeMarcus Lawrence – Unstoppable Force
• J.J. Watt – Relentless
• Joey Bosa – Unstoppable Force
• Myles Garrett – Unstoppable Force
• Nick Bosa – Relentless

Defensive Tackles

• Chris Jones – Momentum Shift
• Fletcher Cox – Fearmonger

Linebackers

• Chandler Jones – Fearmonger
• Khalil Mack – Unstoppable Force
• T.J. Watt – Unstoppable Force
• Bobby Wagner – Avalanche
• Von Miller – Fearmonger

Cornerbacks

• Jaire Alexander – Shutdown
• Jalen Ramsey – Bottleneck
• Richard Sherman – Shutdown
• Stephon Gilmore – Shutdown
• Tre’Davious White – Shutdown

Safeties

• Derwin James Jr. – Reinforcement
• Devin McCourty – Zone Hawk
• Harrison Smith – Reinforcement
• Jamal Adams – Avalanche
• Tyrann 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.