You finally got drafted. You’re the face of the franchise. Then you realize the team that picked you has an offensive line made of wet paper bags and a playbook that hasn't been updated since the leather helmet era. Naturally, you want out. You start digging through the menus for a Madden 25 superstar request trade button, but it's nowhere to be found.
Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating things about this year’s game.
In real life, stars like Lamar Jackson or Tyreek Hill can force a change of scenery with a single tweet or a closed-door meeting. In Madden 25 Superstar mode? EA Sports has made it surprisingly difficult to pack your bags. If you’re looking for a simple "Request Trade" button in the middle of Week 8, I have some bad news: it literally doesn't exist. But that doesn't mean you're trapped for life.
The Hard Truth About Trading Your Superstar
Most players jump into the League expecting a "MyCareer" experience similar to NBA 2K, where you can complain to your agent and get shipped to Miami by Tuesday. Madden doesn't play that way. In Madden 25, you are largely at the mercy of your rookie contract.
You’re basically locked in.
The game wants you to "thug it out" and build a legacy where you started. However, there is a specific, narrow window where you can force your way off the roster. If you miss this window, you’re stuck playing another 17 games in a city you hate.
The "Staff Week" Secret
The only reliable way to change teams before your contract expires is the Demand Release option. This isn't technically a trade—you aren't being swapped for draft picks. Instead, you're becoming a street free agent.
Here is the catch: it only appears during Staff Week, which is the very first week of the offseason immediately following the Super Bowl.
If you advance the week even once to "Re-sign Players" or "Free Agency," the option usually vanishes. It's incredibly finicky. I've seen countless people on Reddit and the EA Forums lose their minds because they checked their season stats or looked at the Pro Bowl roster first, and by the time they went to the "Options" tab, the "Demand Release" button had disappeared into the digital abyss.
How to Successfully Force a Move
If you’re dead set on leaving, you have to be surgical about it.
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- Finish the Super Bowl: It doesn't matter if you won or lost.
- Stop everything at the Offseason Menu: Do not "Advance Week" yet.
- Navigate to the Options Tab: Use R1/RB to scroll over to the far right.
- Find Demand Release: If it’s there, hit it.
Now, there’s a massive risk here. Unlike a trade where you know your destination, demanding a release makes you a free agent. If your OVR (Overall Rating) isn't high enough—usually 80+ for most positions—there is a legitimate chance no team signs you. If that happens, the game forces you into retirement. Career over. Just like that.
Why Can't I Just Request a Trade?
The developers at Tiburon seem to have prioritized "contract realism" over player agency this year. It's a polarizing choice. Some fans love the grind of trying to save a bottom-tier team like the Panthers or the Patriots. Others find it boring to be stuck in a system that doesn't fit their archetype.
Compare this to Franchise Mode, where you can trade anyone for a bag of chips if you turn on "Force Trade" in the settings. Superstar mode doesn't give you that "God Mode" power. You are an employee, not the GM.
Common Misconceptions That Waste Your Time
You’ll see a lot of "guides" online suggesting you can get traded if you perform poorly. This is a myth. Playing like absolute garbage won't get you traded to the Chiefs; it’ll just lower your "Star Power" and make it harder for you to get a decent contract when you finally do hit free agency.
Another thing people get wrong is the "Agent Influence" mechanic. While your agent in Madden 25 can help you land brand deals or temporary stat boosts, they currently have zero power to negotiate a mid-season trade. They are basically just a glorified menu interface for marketing quests.
What if You're on a Rookie Deal?
The standard rookie contract is four years. If you don't use the "Demand Release" trick during that first offseason, you’re essentially committed to the long haul.
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However, at the end of your fifth-year option (if you're a first-round pick) or your initial four-year deal, you become a True Free Agent. This is the "cleanest" way to leave. You’ll get a list of interested teams, their roster needs, and—most importantly—how much they’re willing to pay.
Quick Tips for a Better Experience
- Pick Your Team Early: If you really care about where you play, use the "Pick Your Team" option at the very beginning of the Superstar journey rather than letting the Combine/Draft decide.
- Save Manually: Before the Super Bowl ends, create a backup save. If the "Demand Release" option glitches out or no one signs you, you can reload and try again.
- The Level 50 Cap: Remember that your player level and stats carry over even if you switch teams. You don't lose your progress, just your jersey.
Moving Forward with Your Career
If you've followed these steps and successfully hit the market, your next move is critical. Don't just sign with the team offering the most "Cred" or the highest salary. Look at their depth chart. If you're a QB and the team you're eyeing has no receivers over an 80 OVR, you're just jumping from one dumpster fire into another.
Check the "Team Needs" section in the free agency hub. It’ll tell you exactly how you fit into their scheme. Once you sign that new deal, the Madden 25 superstar request trade saga is officially behind you, and you can finally get back to actually playing the game.
To make sure you don't get stuck again, focus on hitting your "Season Objectives" early. High performance increases your visibility in the league, ensuring that when you do decide to walk away during the next "Staff Week," you'll have half the league bidding for your services.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your current contract status in the "Player Card" menu to see how many years you have left.
- If you are in the regular season, focus on increasing your OVR to at least 85 to ensure free agency interest.
- Save your game immediately after the Super Bowl before clicking any other menu options.