Last year Madden NFL 16 offered a much improved product as a whole but work done to the game's Franchise mode was underwhelming and in some cases actually detrimental to the experience. Make sure to check out that extensive review for details on why that was the case. While it'll be some time before a determination can be made on whether it's for the better or the worse, Franchise in Madden NFL 17 is about to change in a more dramatic fashion.
In the first information to hit on the upcoming game a "renewed focus on Franchise mode" has been spotlighted for its significance.