Madden 17: Release Date, Cover, Achievements and Connected Franchise Challenges

While the NFL season is just weeks away, football fans everywhere will have an opportunity to get the party started early with the release of EA Sports' Madden 17 on Tuesday, Aug. 23 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360. 

In the game's 28th edition after first being released in 1988, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski became the 18th different player featured on the cover after winning the annual vote. 

Gronkowski spoke about making his way onto the cover with NFL Now back in May:

Like the past few Madden games, carrying your created player to super-stardom or your favorite franchise to Super Bowl LI isn't the only reward users can get while playing. 

Here is a list of the 34 achievements, via Madden-School.com:

Achievement	Description
The Gold Standard	Earn a gold medal from a drill inside the Skills Trainer
Budding Playmaker	Earn at least one bronze medal in all Basic Offense drills inside of the Skills Trainer.
Budding Game Wrecker	Earn at least one bronze medal in all of the Basic Defense drills inside of the Skills Trainer.
Basic Concept	Earn at least one bronze medal in all Football Concept drills inside of the Skills Trainer.
Skillfully Executed	Earn at least one bronze medal in all of the Advanced Offensive Drills inside of the Skills Trainer.
Outwit the Competition	Earn at least one bronze medal in all of the Strategy Drills inside of the Skills Trainer
Double Trouble	Score a passing and rushing touchdown with a quarterback during the same game.
So Many Options	Score a touchdown on an option play.
Master Tactician	Make a Coach Adjustment.
Chess not Checkers	Run a play that's been set up.
Next Stop GM	Complete your first Draft Champions event.
Winning Draft Day	Draft a team with an OVR greater than 82 in Draft Champions.
Stylin' & Profilin'	Draft a Team Style (five players of a particular team style) in Draft Champions.
Undisputed	Complete a Draft Champions event undefeated.
Mousetrap	Execute a successful fake punt for a first down.
Go to the Beach	Earn a first-round bye in Ultimate Team Seasons.
Ultimate Postseason	Make the playoffs in Ultimate Team Seasons.
The Biggest Stage	Make it to a Madden Ultimate Team Seasons Super Bowl.
Game, SET, Match	Complete a Madden Ultimate Team set.
Wheel & Deal	Win a Madden Ultimate Team auction.
Going Solo	Win a Madden Ultimate Team solo challenge.
Alshon Jeffrey Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 1,150 using a created player, coach or owner.
Julio Jones Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 2,150 using a created player, coach or owner.
Rob Gronkowski Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 4,500 using a created player, coach or owner.
Dan Rooney Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 6,075 using a created player, coach or owner.
JJ Watt Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 7,500 using a created player, coach or owner.
Aaron Rodgers	Surpass a legacy score of 8,000 using a created player, coach or owner.
John Madden Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 10,100 using a created player, coach or owner.
Tom Brady Legacy Award	Surpass a legacy score of 25,000 using a created player, coach or owner.
Triple Crown	Record a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery during the same play.
Little Giants	Execute a fake field goal for a touchdown.
Online Next?	Complete a single-player Draft Champions event.
Value Play	Draft a player with an OVR at least 15 points higher than the player he replaces in Draft Champions
Seasoned Vet	Complete five Draft Champions events.

But getting virtual trophies might still not be enough for even the most advanced Madden players or for those who play with the highest rated teams or players. 

EA Sports Madden NFL took a look at the best of the best:

When it comes to the Connected Franchise mode, one can only enjoy playing on the lowest level with the best team for so long, unless you don't like competition. 

For those that do, there's an opportunity to make some virtual history by taking over a team that's getting set to play its first season back at its old home. 

Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Rams, they are ranked 13th out of 16 teams in the NFC by EA Sports as they are set to be led by two youngsters on the offensive side of the ball in quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley. 

While the rookie Goff is rated a 77, the Rams realized who their go-to guy is:

So for those who are really looking for a challenge in Madden 17, try this out to prove that you are the best of the best:

Challenges

• Win Super Bowl LI with the Los Angeles Rams on All-Madden difficulty
• Lead the NFL in rushing with Todd Gurley on All-Madden difficulty
• Finish the season with Jared Goff as a top-five passer in the league

There's nothing like a Cinderella story to captivate an NFL season. While it might not happen outside of your gaming console, at least there could be some football magic in Tinseltown in 2016.