Forced into retirement after declining my first contract after my rookie deal.

I haven’t owned a madden since madden 17, but I got talked into playing 24 with a friend. I really started to enjoy superstar mode. Sure, it’s nowhere near as immersive as it was when I was a kid, but I was having fun on madden which is something I’d never thought I’d say again. I made a linebacker and grinded it out for about 12 hours (just career mode) and got him up to a 96 overall at level 45. After winning 3 SBs I figured I’d test the market so I declined my re-sign offer. I was forced to advance the week to look at my offers coming in from other teams, but I was only offered the exact same contract only this time it was from the bears. I reluctantly accepted the offer then a screen popped up saying “you have signed with” and just the NFL shield. After I advanced to the pre-season I was only given an option to retire… after 4 seasons.

Does EA even read these? How do they get away with game breaking bugs year in and year out? Do they have a game testing team? Is there anything I can do to go back to a prior save?

I really don’t want to have to re-start the whole process even if my stats will carry over. I was having a genuine experience and it felt like I was making good progress and I don’t want to restart at a 95 overall. 
To whoever might read this at EA, you almost had me back and it’s crazy because for the last 8 years I’ve been telling everyone that will listen about how bad you’ve ruined, not only the madden franchise, but all sports games. I guess I can’t be too upset, I should’ve known that I’m not supposed to play anything other than MUT. You guys are pathetic.