As the 28th installment of the Madden NFL series, the game was released on August 23, 2016 and features New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on the cover.

In addition to this, the new defensive AI puts players' teammates into positions to stop the run or pass game.

[citation needed] On August 3, 2016, EA Sports announced the soundtrack for the game, which would feature 40 songs, including 2 Chainz, Flume, Steve Aoki, Logic, Blake Shelton, Brantley Gilbert, Bishop Briggs, Flo Rida, Flux Pavilion, Pusha T and Lil Wayne.

GamesRadar gave it 4/5, saying: "With major changes to some of the game’s core mechanics, and an impressive revamp of the now marquee Franchise Mode, Madden 17 has done its best to avoid [accusations of phoning it in and failing to make significant progress], and succeeded."

Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Madden NFL 17 for "Sports Game of the Year".