Feedback on New Defensive Position Labels: More Confusion Than Clarity

The introduction of new position labels has made the depth chart in the game more confusing rather than improving it.

At first glance, this seemed like a welcome improvement. We now have specific designations for EDGE players and for linebackers as Will, Mike, and Sam. However, it quickly became apparent that these changes were mostly superficial renaming of the original DE and OLB positions rather than a meaningful overhaul of the defensive alignment system.

In my opinion, it would have been far more effective to keep all linebackers classified simply as "LB" and allow us, as players, to assign them to the Mike, Will, or Sam roles directly within the depth chart. This would provide greater flexibility and reflect the way many coaches actually handle personnel decisions in real football.

Similarly, with EDGE players, it feels like the game simply renamed defensive ends (DE) instead of truly embracing the unique skill sets and situational usage of modern edge rushers. This has led to unnecessary confusion, particularly when determining which players should fill the RDT (Right Defensive Tackle) slots and how the defensive front should be constructed overall.

Moreover, the coexistence of positions like RLE, RRE, and the new EDGE slots creates redundancy and raises questions about their actual necessity under the current system. While I fully understand the intended roles of these positions, the way they interact in-game now lacks clarity and makes it harder to build an optimal defensive lineup.

Ultimately, these changes feel like they stop halfway between a realistic simulation and an arcade simplification. Allowing users full control to define roles directly, rather than locking players into rigid positional labels, would empower us to create more authentic and strategically sound defenses.