BRANN GM · Football ’26

Welcome

BrannGM: Football ’26 puts you in the general manager’s chair of a 32-team professional football league. You build a franchise from the ground up — scouting and drafting prospects, signing free agents, managing contracts and the salary cap, hiring coaches and setting their schemes — and then watch your decisions play out, game by game, season by season, career by career. This manual explains how all of it works. Keep it handy: whenever something in the game makes you ask “why did that happen?”, the answer is in here.

Part

I

The Game

01

Chapter

Game Overview

A deep, text-based American football general manager + head coach simulation for iOS. The player builds a franchise from the ground up: scouting and drafting prospects, signing free agents, managing contracts and the salary cap, setting coaching schemes, and watching every game unfold in real-time play-by-play text. Games unfold play by play through the BLITZ Gamecast broadcast or resolve instantly — the numbers, the narrative, and the decisions are yours.

1. Core Roles

The player is simultaneously:

General Manager — roster construction, contracts, trades, draft, salary cap

Head Coach — scheme selection, depth chart, game-day adjustments

Players must balance long-term roster building (GM) with short-term game strategy (Coach).

2. Game Loop (Season)

Pre-Season

Set depth chart

Choose offensive and defensive scheme

Sign/cut players to fit the 53-man roster

Practice squad (15 players)

Regular Season (17 Weeks)

Each week: manage roster, trades, injuries, media

Simulate or watch each game (play-by-play)

Weekly power rankings, stats leaders

Post-Season

7-team playoff bracket (top seed gets bye)

Championship game

Off-Season

Season awards (MVP, Rookie of Year, All-Pro, etc.)

Coaching/staff changes

Free Agency (negotiation period)

The Draft (7 rounds)

Salary cap adjustments

Loop back to Pre-Season

3. Teams

32 teams with fictional nicknames, colors and logos

All names are editable by the player in Settings

Each team has: city, nickname, abbreviation, colors (hex), division, home stadium name

Division Structure

AFC East

Buffalo Greenbacks

Miami Sharks

New England Minutemen

New York Turbines

AFC North

Baltimore Nightwings

Cincinnati Stripes

Cleveland Mudders

Pittsburgh Smelters

AFC South

Houston Lone Stars

Indianapolis Stampede

Jacksonville Prowlers

Tennessee Legends

AFC West

Denver Outlaws

Kansas City Gladiators

Las Vegas Plunderers

Los Angeles Bolts

NFC East

Dallas Wranglers

New York Goliaths

Philadelphia Talons

Washington Captains

NFC North

Chicago Grizzlies

Detroit Manes

Green Bay Stockers

Minnesota Norsemen

NFC South

Atlanta Swoops

Carolina Lynx

New Orleans Halos

Tampa Bay Pythons

NFC West

Arizona Redbirds

Los Angeles Horns

San Francisco Prospectors

Seattle Riptide

4. Players

Positions

53-man roster + 15-man practice squad

Player Attributes

Core:

Overall Rating (1-99, derived)

Potential (1-99, hidden until developed)

Age (18-40)

Years Pro (0-20+)

Contract (salary, years remaining, guaranteed $)

Status (Active / Injured / Suspended / Practice Squad)

Mental Traits:

Work Ethic (Poor / Average / Good / Elite)

Leadership (Low / Medium / High)

Coachability (Difficult / Average / High)

Injury Prone (Yes / No)

Big Game Player (Yes / No) — boosts ratings in playoffs

Performance Ratings by Position:

QB: Arm Strength, Accuracy Short, Accuracy Mid, Accuracy Deep, Mobility, Decision Making, Pocket PresenceRB: Speed, Power, Agility, Pass Blocking, Route Running, Ball SecurityWR: Speed, Route Running, Catching, YAC, Release, BlockingTE: Catching, Blocking, Speed, Route RunningOL: Pass Block, Run Block, Strength, TechniqueDL: Pass Rush, Run Stop, Strength, SpeedLB: Coverage, Run Stop, Pass Rush, Speed, TacklingCB: Man Coverage, Zone Coverage, Speed, Press, Ball HawkS: Coverage, Run Support, Speed, Tackling, Ball HawkK/P: Accuracy, Power, Clutch

Player Development

Young players (18-24) have high growth potential

Peak years: 25-29

Decline begins: 30+

Playing time accelerates development

Practice squad players develop slower

Coaching quality affects development rate

5. Draft System

Prototype (Basic)

7 rounds, 32 picks per round = 224 picks

Each team has one pick per round (trades can change this)

Prospect pool: ~350 players (enough to go undrafted)

Pre-draft: Scout report reveals 2-3 ratings per player

Draft day: Pick in order, CPU picks automatically for other teams

Post-draft minicamp: Reveals full ratings

Draft Day Hoopla

Draft Board UI: Visual prospect board with tiers (like a real war room)

Pre-Draft Events:

Scouting Combine (6-week scouting window)

Individual workouts / Pro Days

Player interviews (reveal personality traits)

Mock draft projections that change weekly

Prospect risers and fallers (dynamic rankings)

Injury reports (some prospects hurt at combine)

Draft Day Ceremony:

Commissioner announcement text for each pick

Trade-up/trade-down negotiation on the clock

Clock pressure — you have limited time per pick

Surprise picks (CPU reaches, slides)

Post-pick analysis text (“The crowd goes wild as…”)

Undrafted free agent signing frenzy after Round 7

Rookie Tracking:

Dedicated “Rookies” tab on the roster screen

Rookie class leaderboard throughout the season

Rookie of the Year award tracking

“Rookie Wall” — tracks all-time top rookie performances

6. Free Agency

Free Agency Window: Opens immediately after draft

Players available: expired contracts, released players

Negotiation: Offer years + salary, player accepts/rejects/counters based on:

Market value vs. offer

Team competitiveness

Player’s age and personality

Playing time opportunity

CPU teams also bid — market sets prices

Holdouts if franchise-tagged players are unhappy

Veteran minimum for cheap depth signings

7. Trades

Propose: send players/picks ↔ receive players/picks

Trade Value System: Each player and pick has a point value

CPU accepts if value is roughly fair (±15% swing allowed)

Trade deadline: Week 11 of regular season

Post-deadline: waiver wire only

Trade veto: Other CPU GMs may block lopsided trades

8. Salary Cap

Cap: ~$255M (adjusts each season, +$10M/year)

Dead money: Released players count against cap for remaining guaranteed $

Extensions: Lock up players before free agency

Franchise tag: One per year, sets salary at position average

Restructure: Convert base salary to signing bonus (spreads cap hit)

Minimum salary: Rookie scale for draft picks

9. Coaching & Staff

Roles

Schemes

Offense: West Coast, Air Raid, Pro Style, Spread, Run HeavyDefense: 4-3, 3-4, Cover 2, Cover 3, Blitz Heavy, Zone Heavy

Each scheme has preferred player archetypes. Mismatched players underperform.

10. Game Simulation

Play-by-Play Engine

Each game simulates ~130-170 plays

Play types: Run (inside, outside, draw), Pass (short, mid, deep, screen), Punt, FG, Kick

Each play resolves based on:

Offensive ratings vs. Defensive ratings

Down & distance situation

Momentum (builds/swings during the game)

Player traits (big game, injury prone)

Home field advantage

Weather

Output: Text narrative (“Smith takes the handoff, cuts left for 8 yards”)

AI Decision Logic

4th down: Go-for-it % based on score, field position, yards to go, time

Clock management: Spike ball, kneel, hurry-up based on score/time

Timeouts: Saved for 2-minute drill, used correctly

Penalties: Realistic rate (~6-8 per game total, not every drive)

Viewing Modes

Watch: Live play-by-play with animated field view (SpriteKit) — colored dots representing players move on a top-down field diagram as each play resolves. Ball carrier advances, receivers streak downfield, defenders close in.

Fast Sim: Text-only, key plays only (no field animation)

Instant: Result only, jump straight to final score

Field Animation (SpriteKit)

Top-down field view with yard lines

Home team = solid colored dots, Away team = outlined dots

Each play type has a distinct movement pattern:

Run: Ball carrier dot moves forward, defenders converge

Pass: Dot streaks to receiver position, catch/incomplete resolves

Sack: QB dot retreats, collapses

Kick/Punt: Arc trajectory across field

Play-by-play text narration appears below the field in sync with animation

11. Off-Field Layer

Media

Weekly press conference (choose responses: confident / cautious / deflect)

Player media incidents (fine, suspend, or support)

Local vs. national media sentiment tracker

Fan Base

Fan morale meter (affects home field advantage)

Attendance based on win record + ticket prices

Fan expectations per market size (big market = high pressure)

Stadium & Finances

Annual budget: revenue (tickets, merch, TV deal) vs. expenses (staff, facilities)

Upgrade stadium sections (seating capacity, luxury boxes, field turf)

Facility upgrades: weight room, film room, medical bay → affect development/recovery

Owner approval rating (fire/hire coach events)

12. UI / Screen Map

App Launch

└── Main Menu

├── New Game (choose team)

├── Load Game

└── Settings

In-Game Navigation (Tab Bar)

├── 🏠 Home — Dashboard: record, next game, alerts, news feed

├── 👥 Roster — Full roster, depth chart, practice squad, injured list

├── 📅 Schedule — Season schedule, results, standings

├── 📋 Draft — Prospect board, scouting, draft day

├── 💼 Front Office

│ ├── Free Agency

│ ├── Trades

│ ├── Contracts & Cap

│ └── Staff

└── ⚙️ Settings

02

Chapter

Team Ratings

How a team’s OVR, OFF and DEF ratings are computed from its roster and schemes.

Formula Reference

BRANNGM: FOOTBALL ’26 — Team Rating Formula Reference (v2)

OVERALL RATING (OVR) ÷ 30

OFFENSIVE RATING (OFF) ÷ 17

DEFENSIVE RATING (DEF) ÷ 14

EXPECTED RATING RANGES

Part

II

Players

03

Chapter

Player Ratings & the OVR Formula

This document explains how each player’s Overall Rating (OVR) is calculated across all 16 positions. Every OVR is derived from a weighted sum of individual attributes, clamped to the range 40–99. Attributes are grouped into four categories:

Physical Mental Technical Universal

Technical attributes are position-specific skills (e.g. Arm Strength for QB, Pass Rush for DE). Physical attributes represent raw athleticism (Speed, Strength, Agility). Mental attributes reflect football IQ and composure (Intelligence, Vision, Decisions, Composure). Universal attributes (Adaptability) apply to all positions and affect development curves.

Quarterback (QB)

Category breakdown — Physical 9% | Mental 23% | Technical 66% | Universal 2%

Running Back (RB)

Category breakdown — Physical 38% | Mental 14% | Technical 46% | Universal 2%

Wide Receiver (WR)

Category breakdown — Physical 19% | Mental 12% | Technical 67% | Universal 2%

Tight End (TE)

Category breakdown — Physical 17% | Mental 16% | Technical 64% | Universal 3%

Offensive Tackle (OT)

Category breakdown — Physical 23% | Mental 8% | Technical 67% | Universal 2%

Offensive Guard (OG)

Category breakdown — Physical 25% | Mental 8% | Technical 62% | Universal 3%

Center (C)

Category breakdown — Physical 23% | Mental 25% | Technical 54% | Universal 3% (formula totals ~105%)

Defensive End (DE)

Category breakdown — Physical 27% | Mental 9% | Technical 62% | Universal 2%

Defensive Tackle (DT)

Category breakdown — Physical 32% | Mental 12% | Technical 59% | Universal 2% (formula may sum to ~103%)

Linebacker (LB)

Category breakdown — Physical 23% | Mental 16% | Technical 59% | Universal 2%

Cornerback (CB)

Category breakdown — Physical 26% | Mental 14% | Technical 58% | Universal 2%

Strong Safety (SS)

Category breakdown — Physical 23% | Mental 17% | Technical 58% | Universal 2%

Free Safety (FS)

Category breakdown — Physical 20% | Mental 18% | Technical 60% | Universal 2%

Kicker (K)

Category breakdown — Physical 12% | Mental 14% | Technical 73% | Universal 1%

Punter (P)

Category breakdown — Physical 3% | Mental 7% | Technical 90%

Long Snapper (LS)

Category breakdown — Physical 35% | Mental 10% | Technical 55%

Category Breakdown Summary — All Positions

The table below shows the approximate percentage of OVR weight attributed to each category for every position. Technical skills dominate at most positions. Mental attributes matter most for Centers (25%), QBs (23%), and safeties. Physical weight is highest for RBs (38%) and Long Snappers (35%).

Note: A small number of positions (DT, C) have formula weights that sum to slightly above or below 100% due to rounding in the original code. The category percentages above are approximate and derived by summing each attribute’s weight by category.

Position Weight Summary

PLAYER OVERALL (OVR) RATING — HOW IT WORKS

The Formula

The overall rating is a weighted average of position-specific individual attribute ratings.

Each rating runs from 40–99. The formula multiplies each rating by its weight and sums them.

OVR = (Rating₁ × Weight₁) + (Rating₂ × Weight₂) + … + (RatingN × WeightN)

Weights for each position are listed on the sheets below. They always sum to 1.00 (100%).

04

Chapter

Attributes, Character & Matchup Probability

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1. Physical Attributes (Universal)

Every player has the same eight physical attributes regardless of position. They form the foundation of player capability and serve as fallbacks when new stored technical attributes are zero (legacy saves).

Note on Legacy vs. New Fields: When a player is generated fresh, both legacy and new stored fields are populated. On imported saves (pre-Task #96), new fields decode as 0. The engine uses the eff() pattern — eff(newField, legacyDerived) — returning the new stored value if > 0, otherwise computing a derived approximation from legacy fields. This guarantees backward compatibility.

2. Mental Attributes (Universal)

Mental attributes apply to every position. They capture football IQ and pressure response — things speed and strength cannot measure. The four mental attributes are displayed in the SKILLS tab under the Mental section and feed directly into the GameSimEngine matchup algorithms.

How Mental Attributes Feed the Algorithm

In pass resolution, the QB’s mental ratings are weighted 3:1:1:1:1 (Accuracy × 3 vs. single weight for ThrowUnderPressure, Intelligence, Composure, Vision). This reflects that mental acuity amplifies — but does not replace — raw throwing skill.

A QB with 99 Accuracy but 40 Composure throws accurately in garbage time but cracks under playoff pressure. A 75-rated QB with 99 Composure and 99 Intelligence reads defenses like an elite and makes smart checkdowns — producing consistent, efficient completions even against superior pass rushers.

For defenders, Decisions and PlayRecognition reduce the opponent’s effective completion percentage. A safety with 99 PlayRecognition effectively takes away a full percentage point of completion chance on every snap — the equivalent of an extra half-rating boost on the coverage side of the ball.

3. Technical Attributes by Position

Technical attributes are position-specific skills reflecting what a player actually does on the field. They directly modify play outcomes in GameSimEngine and determine how the player’s SKILLS card looks in the app.

Quarterback (QB)

Running Back (RB)

Wide Receiver (WR)

Tight End (TE)

Offensive Linemen (OT / OG / C)

Defensive End (DE)

Defensive Tackle (DT)

Linebacker (LB)

Cornerback (CB)

Safety (FS / SS)

Kicker (K) / Punter (P) / Long Snapper (LS)

4. Character Traits & Their Effects

Character traits are permanent personality attributes assigned at generation. They affect development rate, team chemistry, contract negotiations, media relations, and in-game clutch performance. Unlike ratings, traits cannot be trained — they are who the player is.

4A. Behavioral Traits

4B. Personality Traits (TraitLevel: Low/Medium/High/Elite)

5. IT Factor & GOAT Intangible

The IT Factor is the rarest attribute in BrannGM: Football ’26 — an emergent, hidden quality that cannot be trained, cannot be scouted at generation, and cannot be predicted. It reveals itself through performance over time. Think Patrick Mahomes engineering a 4th-quarter comeback when analytics say it is statistically impossible. Think Tom Brady getting cooler as the stakes get higher. This is that quality, encoded into the game.

5A. IT Factor Architecture

5B. IT Factor Probability by Position

5C. The GOAT Intangible in a Live Game

When a Level 4 IT Factor player is on the field in a qualifying moment, the following probability modifiers stack on top of the standard matchup algorithm:

QB GOAT: completion% base rates increase by 3–5% in the 4th quarter and OT. Deep accuracy ceiling raises from 95% to 98%.

RB GOAT: run yards bonus gets an additional +1.5 yards in red zone and 4th-quarter carries.

WR GOAT: pass yards bonus adds +1 yard on every completion in close games. Spectacular Catch event probability doubles.

LB/DE GOAT: sack probability increases by 0.5% per play (from 4.5% to 5.0%), and forced-fumble rate on tackles doubles.

CB/S GOAT: defenderScore in the algorithm increases by 0.02 flat (equivalent to having ~3 extra rating points on all coverage attributes).

K GOAT: FG base chance gets +3% in pressure situations (playoffs, final 2 minutes, score within 3).

The GOAT tier is intentionally rare and never overtly announced mid-game. Players and coaches discover it through pattern recognition over seasons — the same way real sports teams come to believe in a player’s clutch DNA.

6. Matchup Probability & Algorithm Breakdown

This section documents exactly how ratings resolve against each other in a live game. All formulas reference the actual GameSimEngine.swift implementation. Understanding these relationships allows you to design rosters, draft classes, and game plans that exploit or shore up specific matchup weaknesses.

6A. Core Algorithm Structure

Every play resolves through two layers:

Team Strength Layer — offStrength vs. defStrength (aggregate roster OVR weighted by depth chart) produces a strengthDiff that modifies base probability by ±12% (pass) or ±2.5 yards (run).

Individual Player Layer — specific player ratings modify the outcome on top of the team layer. This is the new system added in Task #96.

Individual rating contribution formula:

This maps any rating to a bonus/malus:

6B. Pass Play Matchup — QB vs. Coverage

This is the most complex matchup in the sim. Three player groups interact simultaneously: QB rating, receiver rating, and defender rating.

Completion Probability Formula:

QB Score Breakdown:

The accuracy attribute is weighted 3× — meaning it is 3× as important as any single mental attribute. A QB who is elite at accuracy but mediocre mentally still outperforms a mentally elite QB who cannot throw accurately.

Receiver Score (minor contribution to completion%):

Defender Score:

Pass Yards After Completion Formula:

A WR with 99 YAC/elusiveness vs. a 40-rated CB: +0.73 yards per completion. Over 30 completions in a game = +22 YAC yards. This is why elite slot receivers accumulate massive yards on 5-yard targets.

6C. Run Play Matchup — RB vs. Front 7

Run plays resolve through a single formula that pits the carrier’s skill set against the defender’s stopping ability.

6D. WR vs. CB / LB / Safety

6E. TE vs. LB / Safety

6F. OL vs. DE / DT

6G. QB vs. Pass Rush (Sack Probability)

Current implementation: sack rate is 4.5% flat on all pass plays, independent of individual player ratings. This is the primary candidate for future enhancement in GameSimEngine.

6H. LB Blitz vs. QB / OL

6I. Special Teams Matchups

6J. Overall Matchup Priority Chart

Use this chart to understand which attributes matter most when building a roster or evaluating a trade.

7. System Summary — How It All Connects

BrannGM: Football ’26 uses a layered probability architecture. No single rating determines an outcome. Instead, outcomes emerge from the interaction of:

Physical ratings → determine position archetype potential and OVR ceiling

Mental ratings → determine how consistently a player performs at that ceiling

Technical ratings → determine the specific on-field skills that resolve each play type

Character traits → determine development trajectories, team chemistry, and clutch modifiers

IT Factor → determines ceiling-breaking performance in high-leverage moments

Team strength layer → sets the baseline probability for every play

Individual player layer → adjusts that baseline by ±4–8% (pass) or ±1 yard (run) per snap

Randomness → ensures no game is perfectly predictable, simulating real football variance

The beauty of this architecture is that infinite unique player combinations produce infinite unique matchup dynamics. A physically inferior team with high-intelligence, high-composure players can defeat a physically dominant team in a game of chess. A freak athlete with low mental ratings will boom-or-bust unpredictably. A player with Level 4 IT Factor will deliver the impossible play when everything is on the line.

BrannGM: Football ’26 — Built for infinite stories, infinite matchups.

05

Chapter

Character Traits in Play

Overview

BrannGM: Football ’26 — Player Character Traits Reference

THE 7 CHARACTER TRAITS — WHAT THEY ARE & WHAT THEY DO

Greed

GREED — Money Motivation

GREED GENERATION RATES BY TALENT TIER

Loyalty

LOYALTY — Team Attachment

LOYALTY × MORALE INTERACTION

Ambition

AMBITION — Winning Drive

AMBITION EFFECTS ON DEVELOPMENT

FUTURE FEATURE: HIGH ambition players may develop FASTER when on a winning team (motivation bonus) and SLOWER on a losing team (checked-out). LOW ambition players have flat development regardless of team record — stable but uninspired. This would layer on top of the existing work ethic multiplier.

Ego

EGO — Self-Importance (The T.O./Antonio Brown Factor)

LOCKER ROOM SCORE FORMULA (derived from Ego + Leadership + Coachability)

LOCKER ROOM SCORE → BADGE LABEL

Morale

MORALE — Derived Happiness Score (1–10)

MORALE FORMULA

MORALE → DISPLAY ARROW (PGM3 circle)

Contract Management

Contract Management — Extend / Restructure / Franchise Tag Rules

EXTEND CONTRACT

RESTRUCTURE

FRANCHISE TAG

06

Chapter

Schemes & Archetypes

Schemes, Formations & Player Archetypes

Master Reference Document

Season 2026

Covers: 6 Offensive Schemes · 6 Defensive Scheme Combinations

Player Archetypes for All 13 Positions · Archetype Determination Algorithms

Formation Best-Fit Matrix

SECTION 1: OFFENSIVE SCHEMES

BrannGM: Football ’26 supports six distinct offensive schemes, each with its own identity, formation tendencies, player requirements, and strengths. Understanding which scheme fits your roster is the foundation of dynasty building.

▶ 1. West Coast Offense (WCO)

Horizontal Stretch · Rhythm Passing · YAC-Driven

Short-to-medium timing passes act as extensions of the run. The ball is a de facto handoff that the QB throws to a receiver who runs after the catch. Routes are precise and choreographed. Emphasis on completion percentage and yards after catch (YAC), not deep shots.

Formations: Shotgun, Pistol, Pro Set, I-Formation mix

Key Identity: High completion %, quick-hitting routes, RB as a receiving weapon, QB makes pre-snap reads

Strengths: Wears down defense with volume; creates mismatches on LBs; clock-friendly when ahead

Weaknesses: Requires disciplined route runners; can stall if short routes are well-covered; not explosive play-reliant

Best Deployed When: You have a smart, accurate QB and receivers who run clean, precise routes

IDEAL ROSTER FIT

▶ 2. Air Raid

Spread the Field · Pass Every Down · Read and Release

Four or five receiver sets spread the field horizontally and vertically. Pass on every down — the run game is nearly irrelevant. The system is built on speed of processing: QB identifies the open man quickly and delivers on time. High volume passing attack.

Formations: Shotgun Spread, Gun Bunch, Empty, Trips

Key Identity: High pass attempts, 4-5 WR packages, empty backfields, quick releases

Strengths: Volume creates statistical stars; exploits man coverage with rubs; stresses zone coverage horizontally

Weaknesses: No ball control; predictable tendency; vulnerable in adverse weather; thin run game

Best Deployed When: You have deep receiver talent and a QB who processes quickly under pressure

IDEAL ROSTER FIT

▶ 3. Vertical Threat / Deep Ball

Attack Deep · One-on-One Downfield · High Risk / High Reward

Stretch the defense vertically on every snap. Attack one-on-one matchups downfield with speed WRs. Play action creates the underneath threat that forces safeties to hesitate. Fewer completions but massive play potential on every snap.

Formations: Shotgun 2×2, Trips Right, 3-WR Base, Play Action Pro Set

Key Identity: Big arm QB, speed WRs, play-action, 50/50 shots, fewer but larger gains

Strengths: Single big play changes a game; forces defensive backs to play deep; opens up run after play action

Weaknesses: Requires elite arm and speed; sacks costly on deep dropbacks; lower completion percentage

Best Deployed When: You have a QB with 82+ arm strength and WRs with 88+ speed

IDEAL ROSTER FIT

▶ 4. Power Run / Smashmouth

Dominate the Line · Clock Control · Physical Identity

Establish physical dominance at the point of attack. Run first, run second, use play action when the defense is primed for it. Control the clock, wear down the defense, and play complementary football. The offensive line is the engine.

Formations: I-Formation, Pro Set, Fullback Heavy, Ace, Power-T

Key Identity: OL dominance, physical RB, play-action pass off run fakes, fullback as lead blocker

Strengths: Clock control keeps defense fresh; play action devastates if run is established; brutal in bad weather

Weaknesses: Predictable; falls behind quickly when trailing; requires elite OL and RB

Best Deployed When: You have a dominant OL and a power back who can carry the load 25+ times

IDEAL ROSTER FIT

▶ 5. Spread Option / RPO

QB as Weapon · Read the Defense · Force the Conflict

The quarterback is the 12th offensive player — a run threat on every snap. Run-pass options force defenders to choose between gap responsibility and coverage. Zone blocking creates running lanes. The defense can never be assignment-sound against both the run and the pass simultaneously.

Formations: Pistol, Shotgun Spread, Empty Trips, Wildcat

Key Identity: Mobile QB, zone blocking, misdirection, read option, designed QB runs, RPO quick throws

Strengths: Impossible to properly gap-assign; exploits over-pursuit; creates easy completions vs. blown assignment

Weaknesses: QB takes hits on runs; scheme is exposed when QB loses mobility; predictable against disciplined defense

Best Deployed When: You have a mobile QB (80+ speed) who can make quick reads and absorb hits

IDEAL ROSTER FIT

▶ 6. Pro Style / Balanced

Multiple Looks · No Predictable Tendency · Adaptable

Attack every area of the defense. Multiple formations force the defense to prepare for everything. Run-pass balance keeps the defense honest. The offense adapts to opponent tendencies each week rather than imposing its own identity every game.

Formations: All formations — I, Pistol, Shotgun, Pro Set, Empty, Trips, 2TE sets

Key Identity: Two-back sets, tight end as weapon, play action, runs and passes equally

Strengths: Hardest to gameplan for; exploits overadjustments; works with any QB type; minimizes individual weaknesses

Weaknesses: Requires versatile players at every position; no dominant tendency can also limit upside

Best Deployed When: You have a smart, versatile QB and depth at multiple skill positions

IDEAL ROSTER FIT

SECTION 2: DEFENSIVE SCHEMES

BrannGM: Football ’26 defensive schemes combine a Primary Front (alignment) with a Secondary Philosophy (coverage/pressure approach). Three primary fronts × two secondary philosophies produce six distinct defensive identities.

PRIMARY DEFENSIVE FRONTS

▶ 4-3 Base

Alignment: 4 DL (2 DT, 2 DE) · 3 LB (SAM, MIKE, WILL) · 4 DB (2 CB, FS, SS)

Traditional, gap-control front. Each DL is responsible for a specific gap. LBs clean up and cover underneath. Versatile against both run and pass. The backbone of American professional football for decades.

Strength: Balanced against run and pass; DL sets edges; LBs free to roam

Weakness: Susceptible to mobile QBs; TE mismatches; can be stretched by spread formations

Key Player Requirements: Elite DE pass rusher; rangy MIKE LB; versatile CB pair

▶ 3-4 Base

Alignment: 3 DL (1 NT, 2 DE) · 4 LB (2 ILB, 2 OLB) · 4 DB (2 CB, FS, SS)

Confusion through disguise. The OLBs are the primary pass rushers and edge setters. ILBs control interior run gaps. The NT must two-gap and occupy multiple blockers. Pre-snap looks shift responsibility — the defense never reveals who is blitzing.

Strength: Disguise; multiple pressure packages; flexible coverage; OLBs as versatile weapons

Weakness: Requires a dominant NT; LBs must cover more ground; can be exploited with quick passes

Key Player Requirements: Space-eating NT; versatile OLBs who can rush and drop; physical ILBs

▶ Nickel Base (4-2-5)

Alignment: 4 DL · 2 LB · 5 DB (3 CB — incl. slot nickel — 2 S)

Sub-package as the default. Replaces a LB with a third cornerback (the nickel) to match up against 3-WR sets. Pass-prevention is the primary objective. The nickel CB handles slot receiver matchups that a LB simply cannot cover.

Strength: Elite pass coverage; slot matchup control; five secondary players create confusion

Weakness: Run vulnerable with only 2 LBs; physical backs and TEs can exploit extra DB in box

Key Player Requirements: Slot CB (nickel) with quickness; two versatile safeties; interior DL to carry run load

SECONDARY DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHIES

▶ Blitz Heavy

Send 5 or more rushers on a high percentage of plays. Force the QB to make quick decisions before routes fully develop. Gamble on pressure before the play breaks down.

Best Combined With: 3-4 (OLBs become rushers); 4-3 (LB blitz packages)

Risk: Leaves single coverage; a quick QB will expose blown coverages for big gains

Key Players Needed: Physical OLBs or ILBs; CBs comfortable in press man coverage alone

▶ Zone Coverage

Defenders cover assigned areas of the field rather than specific players. QB must work against a moving zone. Protect deep, allow short gains, rally to the ball.

Best Combined With: 4-3 Zone (Tampa-2); 3-4 Zone (Cover 3 / Cover 4); Nickel Zone

Risk: Seam routes and crossing routes between zones; slot receivers can find soft spots

Key Players Needed: Safeties with elite range; CBs who read the QB; LBs who can cover underneath zones

THE SIX DEFENSIVE SCHEME COMBINATIONS

▶ 4-3 Zone (Tampa 2)

CBs press at line, two safeties split deep halves, MIKE covers the middle seam. The classic Tampa-2. Contain-oriented — prevent big plays, make the offense work all field long.

▶ 4-3 Man (Press)

Four-man rush, everyone else in man coverage. CBs jam at line of scrimmage. Physical, aggressive, high-risk. Forces the QB to hold the ball while DL gets home.

▶ 3-4 Blitz (Pittsburgh Style)

The NT anchors the line while OLBs come screaming off the edge or ILBs twist through gaps. Defense never reveals who is blitzing until the snap. Maximum chaos for the offense.

▶ 3-4 Zone (Patriots Style)

NT occupies two gaps, OLBs set edges, four LBs drop into zone coverage. Maximum disguise — can show blitz and drop, or show zone and blitz. Forces the QB to solve a puzzle on every down.

▶ Nickel Man Coverage

Five defensive backs in man coverage against spread formations. The nickel CB handles the slot. Maximum coverage personnel for maximum man-to-man matchups. Forces offense to win 1-on-1.

▶ Nickel Zone (Bend Don’t Break)

Soft zone coverage with 5 DBs. Give up underneath routes. Funnel everything to traffic. Never allow the explosive play or the deep shot. Trade field goals for touchdowns.

SECTION 3: PLAYER ARCHETYPES BY POSITION

Every player in BrannGM: Football ’26 belongs to a specific archetype that defines his identity on the field. Archetypes are determined by a weighted rating formula computed at player generation and updated during development. Each archetype has preferred formation fits and ideal role descriptions.

▶ QUARTERBACK (QB)

🎯 Pocket Passer

Classic drop-back QB. Reads the field pre- and post-snap, delivers accurately from a clean or collapsing pocket. Elite decision-making is his superpower. Rarely runs — uses feet only to buy time.

⚡ Dual-Threat / Scrambler

A weapon on every snap. Extends plays with his legs, can run designed QB runs, and throws on the move. Not always the most polished passer, but the threat of his legs creates chaos for defenses.

💥 Big Arm / Gunslinger

Takes shots. Elite arm strength launches the ball into tight windows downfield that no other QB can fit. Lives on big plays. Higher risk — will force throws — but one completion changes the game.

🧠 Game Manager

Does not win games himself — but rarely loses them. Elite decision-making, never throws the ball away at the wrong time. Manages down and distance, distributes quickly, and supports a dominant run game.

▶ RUNNING BACK (RB)

💨 Speed Back / Scat Back

Makes people miss. Thrives in space — give him a crease and he is gone. Quicker than fast, uses agility to make the first defender miss rather than running through them.

🏋️ Power Back

Runs through people. Falls forward for positive yards even when the hole is not there. The goal-line and short-yardage specialist. Hard to bring down on first contact.

🙌 Receiving Back

A receiver who lines up in the backfield. Routes, soft hands, and the ability to create YAC in open space. The LB matchup nightmare. Used as a safety valve and a primary read.

⚡ Feature / All-Purpose Back

Does everything at a high level. Can run between the tackles, catch out of the backfield, and make people miss in space. The bell-cow back. No major weakness in his game.

▶ WIDE RECEIVER (WR)

🔥 Speed Burner / Deep Threat

Gets behind the coverage. Elite top-end speed that creates fear in defensive coordinators. Even if he is not targeted, his presence opens up every other route on the field.

📐 Route Runner / Possession

Gets open every single play with precision route running. The QB always knows where he will be. High completion-rate target — not the biggest play maker, but the most reliable.

📦 Slot Receiver

Works inside. Quick release off the line, creates separation in tight space, and makes yards after catch in congested areas. The Swiss Army knife of the passing game.

🦁 Big Body / Jump Ball

Wins contested catches. Uses size, physicality, and spectacular leaping ability to outmuscle DBs for 50/50 balls. The ultimate red zone weapon. Does not need to be faster than the defender, just more physical.

▶ TIGHT END (TE)

🎯 Receiving TE

The ultimate mismatch weapon. Too fast for linebackers, too strong for safeties, too tall for cornerbacks. A receiver with an H designation. The modern era TE who changes defense personnel packages.

🧱 Blocking TE / In-Line

A six-foot-five offensive lineman. Sets the edge on outside runs, destroys defenders in the run game, and gives the offense an extra blocker in pass protection. His job is to neutralize defenders, not catch the ball.

⚡ Hybrid / Move TE

Aligns anywhere on the field — in-line, in the slot, in the backfield. Solid blocker and a dangerous pass catcher. Forces defensive coordinators to identify him before every snap. The most versatile player in football.

▶ OFFENSIVE LINE (OT / OG / C)

💪 Run Blocker

Dominates at the point of attack. Drive blocks, seal blocks, and lead blocks. Creates running lanes and finishes with a pancake. The engine of a power running game.

🛡️ Pass Protector

The blindside protector. Handles power rushers AND speed-to-power rushers. Keeps the QB clean on deep-ball sets and quick throws alike. The most valuable lineman in a pass-first offense.

⚖️ Balanced Lineman

Excels in both phases. A plug-and-play starter for any scheme. Does not dominate in either direction, but the consistency and reliability make him invaluable in Pro Style offenses.

▶ DEFENSIVE END (DE)

🌪️ Pass Rush Specialist

Lives in the backfield. Gets to the QB with an elite first step and a diverse set of pass rush moves. May be a liability against the run, but worth it to collapse the pocket.

🛑 Run Stopper DE

Sets the edge and never gives up outside contain. Physical against the run, sheds blocks, and forces everything back inside. Not glamorous, but essential for stopping the ground game.

⚡ Complete DE / All-Purpose

Does everything. Rushing the passer and defending the run at an elite level. The rarest and most valuable defensive lineman in the game. Can play 4-3 DE, 3-4 OLB, or any hybrid role.

▶ DEFENSIVE TACKLE (DT)

🧱 Nose Tackle / Space Eater

The two-gap monster at the center of the defense. Requires double teams. Clogs running lanes, never gives the center a clean release to the second level. The defensive line anchor in a 3-4.

⚡ Interior Pass Rusher

Disrupts the pocket from inside. Uses quickness and finesse moves to penetrate through A/B gaps. Terrifying against a slow-setting offensive line.

💣 Two-Gap Disruptor

Creates pressure AND stops the run. Can control a gap and shed to make the tackle. The all-around interior lineman who forces offensive coordinators to game plan specifically for him.

▶ LINEBACKER (LB)

🌪️ Pass Rusher / Blitz LB

Aligned at the line or walked up at the snap, he is the OLB who changes the QB’s launch point. Speed, power, or finesse — he has what it takes to get home in the backfield.

🛡️ Coverage LB

The antidote to the receiving back and the slot TE. Drops into zones or carries TE/RB in man coverage. Fast enough to stay in hip of a tight end, smart enough to read the QB through his zones.

🏋️ Run Stopper LB

The enforcer between the tackles. Takes on offensive linemen, sheds blocks, and makes the tackle for minimal gain. The run stopper who cleans up everything in the box.

🧠 Complete LB / MIKE

The defensive quarterback. Signal caller. Reads the offense, adjusts the defense, fills gaps, and drops into coverage equally well. The rarest linebacker — does everything and leads the unit.

▶ CORNERBACK (CB)

🔒 Lockdown / Press CB

Wins at the line of scrimmage. Jams receivers, disrupts timing, and mirrors in man coverage all over the field. Physical enough to match up with big receivers. Can neutralize the opponent’s top WR alone.

👁️ Zone CB

Reads the quarterback like a book. Anticipates routes, attacks at the ball’s arrival, and makes the pick from his zone assignment. Slower and less physical but more cerebral.

📦 Slot CB / Nickel

The nickel cornerback. Quick-twitch athlete who works inside against slot receivers and RBs out of the backfield. Does not need outside CB size — just quickness, awareness, and short-area coverage.

🦅 Ball Hawk / Playmaker

Creates turnovers. Instinctively reads the QB and gambles on routes. Not always the most reliable in coverage, but one interception from this CB changes field position and momentum.

▶ SAFETY (S — SS / FS)

🧱 Box Safety / Strong Safety

The eighth man in the box. Physical presence near the line. Stops the run, covers TEs in short zones, and delivers pop on crossing routes. More linebacker than defensive back in attitude and alignment.

🦅 Center Fielder / Free Safety

Patrols deep. The last line of defense. Reads the QB before the snap, gets a jump on the ball’s trajectory, and ranges sideline-to-sideline. The deep eraser who prevents the big play.

⚡ Hybrid / Versatile Safety

Plays in the box and deep equally. No single skill is elite, but the value is in alignment flexibility. Defensive coordinators can move him anywhere. The most scheme-adaptable safety.

▶ KICKER (K)

💥 Power Kicker

Long-range weapon. Makes field goals from 55+ yards and regularly pins opponents deep with kickoffs. Takes shots other kickers cannot attempt.

🎯 Accuracy Kicker

Makes the kicks he should make. Never misses a chip shot, rarely misses under 40 yards. High-value in late-game situations where reliability matters more than range.

▶ PUNTER (P)

⏱️ Hang Time Punter

Maximum air time on every punt. Gives coverage units extra time to get downfield and minimise return yards. The net-yardage specialist.

📍 Directional Punter

The coffin corner specialist. Pins opponents inside the 20 yard line with pinpoint placement. Limits opposing starting field position consistently throughout the game.

SECTION 4: ARCHETYPE DETERMINATION ALGORITHMS

Each player’s archetype is computed using weighted rating formulas. The archetype with the highest score wins. For positions with a “balanced” archetype (Feature Back, Balanced OL, Hybrid TE, etc.), the balanced archetype triggers when all sub-scores are within a threshold gap of each other.

Ratings are on a 40–99 scale. A score of 70 is league average. Formulas produce a composite score — the archetype with the highest composite wins. Ties broken by position-specific tiebreaker logic.

QB

RB

WR

TE

OL

DE

DT

LB

CB

Safety

K / P

SECTION 5: FORMATION BEST-FIT MATRIX

The tables below show which player archetypes perform best in each offensive scheme and defensive scheme combination. A player with the ideal archetype for his team’s scheme receives a performance bonus in the simulation algorithm. Players outside their ideal archetype are not penalized — but the ideal archetype unlocks the scheme’s full potential.

OFFENSIVE SCHEME BEST-FIT MATRIX

DEFENSIVE SCHEME BEST-FIT MATRIX

HOW SCHEME FIT AFFECTS THE SIMULATION

When a player’s archetype matches his team’s scheme, the GameSimEngine applies a fit bonus to his performance calculations. The bonus is modest (not game-breaking) — scheme fit is an advantage, not a guarantee.

SECTION 3: SCHEME ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

Each scheme demands a specific blend of positional talent. The tables below define how many starters are fielded at each position per scheme, how many roster backups are required, and the total target count on the 53-man roster. The Center also serves as the long snapper — no separate LS position exists. Kicker (K) and Punter (P) are each carried as 1 on the roster but are not counted among the 11 offensive starters.

OFFENSIVE SCHEME ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

O-line is constant across all schemes: 2 OT + 2 OG + 1 C (5 starters, 5 backups total). Skill position packages vary.

▶ 1. West Coast Offense (WCO)

Total starters: 11 (offensive) | Total backups: 16 | Total roster spots: 28

▶ 2. Air Raid

Total starters: 11 (offensive) | Total backups: 15 | Total roster spots: 28

▶ 3. Vertical Threat / Deep Ball

Total starters: 11 (offensive) | Total backups: 15 | Total roster spots: 28

▶ 4. Power Run / Smashmouth

Total starters: 11 (offensive) | Total backups: 15 | Total roster spots: 28

▶ 5. Spread Option / RPO

Total starters: 11 (offensive) | Total backups: 15 | Total roster spots: 28

▶ 6. Pro Style / Balanced

Total starters: 11 (offensive) | Total backups: 15 | Total roster spots: 28

DEFENSIVE SCHEME ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

Defensive backups are sourced from the combined depth chart (DE 4, DT 4, OLB 3, MLB 2-3, CB 5, SS 2, FS 2 target roster). Front structure drives OLB/MLB split and DT depth.

▶ 4-3

Total starters: 11 | Total backups: 11 | Total roster spots: 22

▶ 3-4

Total starters: 11 | Total backups: 12 | Total roster spots: 23

▶ Cover 2

Total starters: 11 | Total backups: 11 | Total roster spots: 22

▶ Cover 3

Total starters: 11 | Total backups: 11 | Total roster spots: 22

▶ Blitz Heavy (Nickel)

Total starters: 11 | Total backups: 11 | Total roster spots: 22

07

Chapter

The Player Profile

Overview

Tapping any player in the roster, depth chart, trade screen, or league browser opens the Player Profile — a 5-tab card screen styled after Football Manager’s player view. Every number on this screen is either directly stored in the player model or computed deterministically from it.

Tabs: SKILLS · DEVELOP · CONTRACT · GAMES · CAREER

Fixed Header

The header is always visible regardless of which tab is active.

SKILLS Tab

Shows the player’s complete attribute profile split into three sections, plus archetype chips and physical measurements.

Talent Tier Badge

Only shown for STAR, SUPERSTAR, and GENERATIONAL players (the top three tiers). Badge color matches the tier: gold = Generational, purple = Superstar, blue = Star. The majority of players (Starter / Role Player / Backup tiers) do not get a badge.

Archetype Chips

A horizontal row of 2–3 chips showing the player’s most defining numeric attributes. Each chip shows a raw 0–99 number with the attribute name below it. These are the same stats that give the player their archetype label. Example for a WR: Catching | Route Running | Separation.

Height / Weight Row

Displayed as a two-cell card with HEIGHT and WEIGHT. Height uses feet-and-inches format (e.g. 6’2″). Weight is in pounds. Both are generated once at creation and never change.

Rating Color System

Every attribute number appears in a colored badge:

PHYSICAL Section

What it shows: The player’s athleticism and body attributes.

Attributes vary by position but typically include: Speed, Strength, Agility, Burst, Stamina, Injury Resistance. For linemen, Strength weights heavily. For skill positions, Speed and Burst dominate.

Source: Player.ratings.physical — generated at creation, updated each offseason by OffseasonEngine.

MENTAL Section

What it shows: The player’s cognitive and psychological game.

Always includes Composure (how well the player performs under pressure — key to clutch situations and affects game simulation directly). Other common attributes: Football IQ, Awareness, Coachability, Leadership, Clutch. Each position has a specific mental card defined in PlayerCardEngine.

Note: Composure is generated using a position-specific probability distribution — QBs and veterans cluster higher; rookie linemen cluster lower.

TECHNICAL Section

What it shows: The player’s football craft and skill execution.

These are position-specific skills: a QB sees Arm Strength, Accuracy Short/Mid/Deep, Release, Ball Security. A CB sees Man Coverage, Zone Coverage, Press, Pursuit, Catching. Etc. These technical attributes feed directly into OVR formula weights for each position and into the archetype engine.

Source: Player.ratings.technical — each attribute has its own generation distribution and some have secondary probability tables for outlier values (e.g. elite TE Release, OL Agility).

DEVELOP Tab

Shows historical OVR progression, ceiling, and the three key factors that drive offseason development.

Rating Progression Chart

A line + area chart plotting the player’s overall rating by season. The x-axis shows the last N seasons; the y-axis is clamped to a range starting 5 points below the player’s historical minimum. An orange line tracks the curve, with filled markers at each data point.

Important: The chart only builds up after each completed season. In year 1 the chart shows a single point.

Estimated Potential (Scouts)

Scouts’ estimate is an approximation — actual peak depends on coaching, development environment, and offseason dice rolls.

Development Stars (Three Tiles)

Three tiles side by side, each rated 0–5 stars. Stars represent the quality of each development factor for this specific player.

COACHING (1–5 stars)

Measures how good the coaching staff is for this player’s position. Computed from: (position coach rating × 2 + HC rating + coordinator rating) / 4. A position coach vacancy reduces this score significantly because the slot gets a forced default of 55.

TEAM MENTORS (0–5 stars)

Counts the quality of teammates at the same position. High-tier teammates provide mentorship through competition and shared knowledge. Scoring: Generational teammate = +5, Superstar = +3, Star = +2, Quality Starter = +1. Points are summed and clamped to 5 stars.

A backup QB on a roster with Patrick Mahomes will have 5 mentor stars. A DE on a thin defensive line will have 0.

PERSONALITY (1–5 stars)

Reflects the player’s internal development drive:

Injury History

A reverse-chronological list of every recorded injury. Each row shows the body part (in red), the season + week the injury occurred, and how many weeks the player was out. ‘None’ is displayed if the player has never been injured.

Injuries that occurred before the player joined your roster are still visible — injury history is career-wide, not team-specific.

CONTRACT Tab

Shows the player’s character traits, current contract terms, and all available contract actions.

CHARACTER Section

Morale indicator: A colored circle with an arrow icon.

Seven character traits (each displayed as LOW / MED / HIGH):

Locker Room Impact badge: A summary label derived from personality + leadership. Categories range from ‘Toxic’ to ‘Anchor’ and affect team morale and staff chemistry calculations.

Contract Details Section

Contract Action Buttons

GAMES Tab

A scrollable game-by-game log for the current season. Each row shows the week, opponent, result (W/L), and the player’s key stats for that game. Stats shown vary by position.

This tab is powered by PlayerGamesView.swift and reads from the player’s accumulated season stats tied to each game record.

CAREER Tab

Season-by-season career stats, milestones, and legacy information.

Season History

One row per season the player has appeared in. Shows year, team abbreviation, games played, and position-specific season totals. Seasons before the player joined your league show where they played.

Accolades

Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro honors, and championship rings. Each accolade is listed with the season it was earned.

HOF Status

Displayed when the player meets the Hall of Fame threshold for their position. The HOFEngine evaluates career statistical milestones (e.g. QB: 40,000 yards + 250 TDs; WR: 900 receptions + 12,000 yards). Once triggered, the HOF badge appears here.

College

The college or university the player attended. Assigned at player generation using CollegeData.swift (tiered probability table from elite programs to mid-major). High-potential players are more likely to come from Tier 1 schools.

How OVR Is Calculated

Each player has a single Overall Rating (0–99) that summarizes their full attribute set. OVR is a weighted average of Physical + Mental + Technical attributes, with weights specific to each of the 18 positions. A +2 bonus is added to all players to keep ratings in a realistic NFL range (late-round rookies average ~65, Pro Bowl starters ~82–88).

See FD_OVR_Formula_Reference.docx for the full position-by-position weight tables.

BrannGM: Football ’26 · Player Profile Reference · v1.0 · July 2026

08

Chapter

Player Development & Progression

BRANNGM: FOOTBALL ’26

PROGRESSION SYSTEM

Master Gameplay Reference

Part of the BrannGM: Football ’26 Master Gameplay Manual

Version 1.0 · Season 2026

Overview

The Progression System is the engine that makes BrannGM: Football ’26 a true dynasty game. Every offseason, each player, coach, scout, and physio changes — some grow, some plateau, some decline. The trajectory arrow (▲▲▲ through ▼▼) tells you which direction a person is heading without needing to open their profile.

Arrows are calculated once per offseason and stored on the model. They update the following offseason based on the new inputs — age, potential gap, coaching quality, and team performance. Nothing is random about the arrow itself: the same inputs always produce the same arrow.

KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• Arrow = trajectory, not quality. A 99 OVR player with ▼▼ is still elite — but plan to replace them.

• Arrows update annually. No mid-season changes. Plan around the offseason reveal.

• Coaching matters position-by-position. Stacking great coaches at the right spot accelerates specific players.

• Staff have trajectories too. An ascending 75 OVR OC is more valuable than a declining 85 OVR one.

Trajectory Arrow Tiers

Six tiers, each mapping to a projected OVR delta range. The arrow appears inline on every list row — roster, depth chart, staff, and draft class.

Player Development

Every player’s OVR changes once per offseason. The change is determined by four interacting factors:

1. AGE CURVE

Under 24

Typical delta: +1 to +4 (randomised, then scaled)

24–25

Typical delta: 0 to +3

26–28 (growth taper)

Typical delta: −1 to +2

29–30

Typical delta: −2 to +1

31–32

Typical delta: −4 to 0

33–34

Typical delta: −6 to −1

35+

Typical delta: −9 to −3

2. POTENTIAL GAP

Growth deltas are capped by the gap between a player’s current OVR and their potential ceiling. A player at 75 OVR / 99 potential has 24 points of headroom. A player at 75 OVR / 77 potential has 2 points — they’re almost done growing, regardless of age.

Rule: if OVR ≥ potential, the growth delta is forced to 0.

3. WORK ETHIC TRAIT

Poor: 0.70× (growth is blunted)

Average: 1.00× (baseline)

Good: 1.20× (accelerated)

Elite: 1.50× (exceptional — rare)

Work Ethic multiplies the raw age-curve delta before coaching is applied. A player with Elite work ethic and a +3 raw delta becomes +4 (rounded) before coaching touches it.

4. COACHING QUALITY

Position-specific multiplier (0.75–1.25×) derived from the three-coach chain for that position. Replaces the old team-wide coaching average.

Stacking a 99-rated HC, 99-rated OC, and 99-rated QB Coach gives a QB the maximum 1.25× coaching multiplier — the biggest single lever available outside of talent tier.

FULL FORMULA (growth phase only)

finalDelta = rawAgeDelta × workEthicMultiplier × coachingMultiplier

Clamped to: potential − current OVR (cannot grow past ceiling)

Coaching Influence Engine

The coaching multiplier is the single most controllable lever in player development. Unlike age or potential, you choose your staff. The engine evaluates each player’s position against a three-coach chain — Head Coach, coordinator, and position coach — all drawing on the specific sub-rating relevant to that position.

Position → Coach Chain

Quality Score → Multiplier

The three coaching sub-ratings are averaged (vacant slots are excluded, not zeroed). The combined score maps linearly to a multiplier:

MULTIPLIER FORMULA

multiplier = 0.75 + (qualityScore − 40) / (99 − 40) × 0.50

Score 40 → 0.75× Score 70 → 1.00× Score 99 → 1.25×

EXAMPLE — Stacking a QB Room

HC qbsRating = 95 · OC qbsRating = 99 · QB Coach qbsRating = 99

Average quality score = (95 + 99 + 99) / 3 = 97.7 → multiplier ≈ 1.24×

A 22-year-old QB with Elite work ethic would see: +3 raw delta × 1.50 × 1.24 = +5.6 → +6 OVR

Staff Progression

Coaches, scouts, and physios have their own trajectory arrows. Staff development runs once per offseason immediately after player development. The trajectory reflects where a staff member is in their career arc, not their current OVR.

STRATEGIC IMPLICATION

A first-year OC with a ▲▲▲ arrow and a 72 OVR is often a better hire than a veteran OC with a ▼▼ arrow and an 88 OVR — especially if you’re on a multi-year rebuild. Watch trajectory before signing long contracts.

Where Trajectories Are Displayed

Trajectory arrows are visible on every key list view in the game. No tapping into profiles required — you can assess your entire roster and staff at a glance.

GM Personality Interactions

Two GM Personalities interact directly with the progression system:

⬆️ PLAYER DEVELOPER

+1 additional OVR delta per season for every player on your roster who is age 25 or younger — on top of all other factors. Only applies when the player is already developing positively.

🔭 SCOUTING ACE

+10 to the effective scout rating on every film review, tightening the error range on prospect attribute reveals. This directly improves how accurately draft trajectories are predicted.

BUILDING A DYNASTY THROUGH PROGRESSION

Draft players with ▲▲▲ arrows. Build coaching stacks around your key positions. Hire ascending staff with room to grow. Sell players whose arrows have turned before the market catches on. The trajectory arrow is the most honest signal in BrannGM: Football ’26 — use it.

Development Reference Tables

Talent Tier & Ceiling

Talent Tier System — Ceiling, Distribution & What Changes It

WHAT CHANGES THE CEILING?

Career Arc

Career Arc — Development Delta by Age Bracket

PEAK AGE RANGES BY POSITION

Team Mentors

Team Mentors — Star Calculation & Development Impact

MENTOR SCORE → STAR RATING

College Cohorts

BrannGM: Football ’26 — College Cohorts Reference

3-5 year scouting horizon: class grades, generational alerts, position outlook, talent distribution

WHAT ARE COLLEGE COHORTS?

CLASS GRADE FORMULA (classGrade() in CollegeProspectsView.swift)

GENERATIONAL TALENT ALERT (Lightning Bolt Banner)

PROSPECT BUZZ LABELS (buzzLabel() in CollegeProspectsView.swift)

POSITION OUTLOOK (positionDepth() in CollegeProspectsView.swift)

Position groups: QB / RB / WR / TE / OL (OT/OG/C) / DE/DT / LB (OLB/MLB/LB) / DB (CB/FS/SS)

TALENT DISTRIBUTION BAR (talentDistributionBar() in CollegeProspectsView.swift)

Bar width proportional to count within the cohort class. Very small tiers suppress the label overlay.

09

Chapter

Snaps & Playing Time

NFL-calibrated snap-percentage targets by position and depth-chart slot (averages based on pro tracking data 2020–2024).

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

10

Chapter

Injuries & the Physio Department

1. Overview

BrannGM: Football ’26 uses 15 named injury types across three severity tiers. Every injury that sidelines a player is drawn from this table. The physio department tracks, treats, and advises on all active injuries, and the GM can request early clearance — with consequences.

Injury frequency is calibrated to real NFL data. On average, expect 1–3 significant injuries per team per season. Running backs are the most vulnerable; kickers and punters almost never get hurt.

2. The 15 Injury Types

The table below lists every injury in the game. Colour coding: green = Mild, yellow = Moderate, red = Severe.

* Concussion: Duration is 1–3 weeks, but protocol is ALWAYS enforced — the GM cannot override concussion clearance regardless of weeks remaining.

3. Severity Tiers

3.1 Mild (Green)

Minor soft-tissue damage resolved in 1–3 weeks. The physio approves play-through with an OVR penalty of 5 points and elevated re-injury risk (×1.6).

Ankle Sprain · Groin Pull · Knee Contusion · Broken Finger · Rib Contusion · Back Spasm · Turf Toe

3.2 Moderate (Yellow)

Significant soft-tissue damage requiring 2–6 weeks of rehab. Override docks 10 OVR points and applies a ×2.8 re-injury multiplier.

High Ankle Sprain · Hamstring Strain · MCL Sprain · Shoulder Separation · Rotator Cuff Strain

3.3 Severe (Red) — Physio Always Blocks

Structural damage requiring complete healing. No GM override is possible for any severe injury.

ACL Tear — 18–22 weeks; automatically season-ending.

Fibula Fracture — 10–14 weeks. Bone must fully consolidate before contact.

Concussion — 1–3 weeks, but clearance protocol is non-negotiable. Permanent neurological risk.

4. Injury Probability by Position

Base per-game injury rates. Modifiers stack multiplicatively.

4.1 Modifiers

Injury-Prone trait: ×1.65

Age 30–32: ×1.20 | Age 33–35: ×1.45 | Age 36+: ×1.70

Physio Prevention Score 100: ×0.85 | Score 50: ×1.00 | Score 0: ×1.15

Disciplinarian GM trait: ×0.88 for own team

5. GM Early-Return Override

The GM may request early clearance for any injured player from the Physio → Injury List tab. The physio evaluates the request and either refuses or provides a warning before the GM decides.

5.1 Flow

Step 1 — Tap “Request Early Return” on any injured player in the Injury List.

Step 2 — Physio evaluates injury type and severity.

Severe injury: Physio refuses. Alert shows reason. No bypass.

Mild / Moderate: Physio approves with warning showing risk % and OVR penalty.

Step 3 — GM chooses “Override Physio” (risky) or “Follow Protocol” (safe).

5.2 Override Consequences

Re-injury risk is applied per-game for a window equal to the weeks overridden (minimum 2 games). If the player re-injures, a fresh injury roll is made — which may be worse than the original.

5.3 Physio Approach Effect on Displayed Risk

Preventive physio: overstates risk ×1.30 (conservative — protects players).

Balanced physio: accurate estimate.

Reactive physio: understates risk ×0.65 — may encourage risky GM decisions.

The actual risk is always computed correctly; only the number shown to the GM differs.

6. “Playing Hurt” Badge

Any player on the field under a GM override displays a “PLAYING HURT” badge in the Injury List and Injury Report. The OVR penalty and games remaining in the risk window are visible at all times so the GM can reassess.

7. Injury History (DEVELOP Tab)

Every injury is recorded permanently in the player’s career file, visible under DEVELOP → Injury History. Entries log: injury name, season, week, and weeks missed. A long injury history affects trade value and HOF scoring.

8. Physio Department Impact

Prevention Score: Reduces base injury rate for all rostered players. Score 100 = 15% fewer injuries than league average.

Rehab Score: Each week, (rehabScore / 100 × 20%) chance of shaving one extra recovery week.

Physio Approach trait: Distorts the override risk % shown to the GM (see §5.3).

9. Design Notes

Severity tier is rolled first (~9% severe, ~35% moderate, ~56% mild), then a position-weighted injury type is chosen. Position likelihood is internal — the user sees only the diagnosis name.

Injury-prone players draw from the upper half of their injury’s weeks range.

Target frequency: 1–3 significant injuries per team per 18-week season.

The 15 types cover all common NFL injury reports without making recovery times unpredictable.

BrannGM: Football ’26 · Physio Department Reference · Internal GM Manual

Physio Reference Tables

Attributes & Gameplay Impact

PHYSIO ATTRIBUTES — GAMEPLAY WIRING

How each physio attribute flows from the data model into the simulation engine

Recovery Formula

RECOVERY BONUS FORMULA — REFERENCE

TeamStaff.recoveryBonus = 0.6 + (head.rating / 100.0) + (asst.rating / 200.0)

The recovery bonus scales how fast injured players heal each week. It is used in InjuryEngine.progressWeeklyRecoveries() and also drives the PREVENTION and REHAB stars in the Overview dashboard.

LIVE CALCULATOR

RECOVERY BONUS RANGE REFERENCE

RTP Tension System

RETURN-TO-PLAY (RTP) TENSION SYSTEM

Unique to BrannGM: Football ’26 — no other football sim has this mechanic

HOW IT WORKS

ACTUAL RISK FORMULA (HIDDEN FROM GM)

PHYSIO APPROACH TRAIT — HOW IT DISTORTS YOUR VIEW

GM DECISION GUIDE

11

Chapter

The Team Chaplain

Overview

A team chaplain provides spiritual support and pastoral care to your players and staff. In BrannGM: Football ’26, the chaplain is not rated on a 0–99 scale — instead, the key variables are presence (none, volunteer, or paid) and commitment level, which determines how many of the 10 benefit areas are active.

Chaplains have no individual OVR and do not occupy a standard staff slot. They are managed from the FRONT OFFICE → PHYSIOS tab under the TEAM CHAPLAIN card.

How Benefit Tiers Work

None: 0 of 10 benefits active. No gameplay effect.

Volunteer: Benefits 1–5 active. Free of charge. The chaplain provides basic pastoral care and morale support.

Paid ($150K/yr): All 10 benefits active. Full commitment includes community outreach, character mentorship, and deep organizational integration.

Note: The game seeds ~35% of AI teams with paid chaplains, ~15% with volunteer chaplains, and ~50% with none at league creation.

All 10 Benefits — Detailed Reference

Quick Comparison: Volunteer vs. Paid

Benefit Deep Dives

Benefit 1 — Morale Lift

Active at: Volunteer and Paid

Engine: TeamStaff.chaplainMoraleBonus → GameSimEngine

The chaplain’s morale bonus is added to the team’s effective morale score when calculating play strength in game simulation. A higher morale directly increases the team performance multiplier, meaning your offense and defense execute at a higher level week-to-week.

Volunteer: +5 morale | Paid: +10 morale

Benefit 2 — Clutch Composure

Active at: Volunteer and Paid

Engine: TeamStaff.chaplainClutchBonus → GameSimEngine (play strength formula)

When the game is close, players with chaplain support maintain a sharper mental edge. This bonus is added directly to the team’s play strength calculation in GameSimEngine, scaled to game situation. It stacks with composure ratings, morale, and scheme bonuses.

Volunteer: +3% | Paid: +7%

Benefit 3 — Injury Recovery Cushion

Active at: Volunteer and Paid

Engine: TeamStaff.chaplainInjuryCushion → InjuryEngine.recover()

When a player’s injury recovery is processed each week, the chaplain cushion multiplier is applied to their injury duration. A paid chaplain’s 0.80 multiplier means a player who would be out 10 weeks is instead out 8 weeks.

Volunteer: × 0.90 duration (10% faster) | Paid: × 0.80 duration (20% faster)

This stacks with your physio’s rehabRating — the two recovery systems apply independently.

Benefit 4 — Mental Resilience

Active at: Volunteer and Paid (contributes to Clutch Composure)

Mental Resilience represents the chaplain’s role in helping players manage pressure, adversity, and losing streaks. In the engine it contributes to the Clutch Composure bonus (Benefit 2). Teams with a chaplain are more mentally durable — they’re less likely to collapse after bad plays or tough stretches.

Benefit 5 — Team Chemistry

Active at: Volunteer and Paid (contributes to Morale Lift)

A shared spiritual and communal foundation builds unit cohesion. This contributes to the Morale Lift bonus (Benefit 1). The chaplain’s presence as a trusted, neutral figure in the locker room reduces interpersonal friction and keeps morale stable across longer losing stretches.

Benefit 6 — Faith & Accountability

Active at: Paid only

Engine: Cultural modifier (character trait influence)

A paid chaplain runs regular accountability programs — small groups, one-on-one meetings, mentorship frameworks. This dampens negative character trait flares. Players with high Greed or Ego traits are less likely to act on those traits in damaging ways (e.g. demanding trades, disrupting team culture) when a paid chaplain is present.

Benefit 7 — Player Development Bonus

Active at: Paid only

Engine: TeamStaff.chaplainDevelopmentBonus → OffseasonEngine.ageAndDevelop()

A paid chaplain’s investment in the whole player — mind, body, spirit — translates to a measurable development boost. Each offseason, every player on your roster receives a +4% development rate multiplier on top of their standard coaching influence. Over multiple seasons, this compounds into meaningful OVR gains for young players.

Benefit 8 — Loyalty Bonus

Active at: Paid only

Engine: TeamStaff.chaplainLoyaltyBonus → contract signing / FA interest checks

Players who feel genuinely cared for are more willing to give the organization a financial discount when re-signing. The loyalty bonus nudges players toward hometown discounts during contract negotiations — your current roster players have a +5% propensity to accept below-market extensions.

Benefit 9 — Community Engagement

Active at: Paid only

Engine: TeamStaff.chaplainCommunityBonus → FanEngagementEngine (offseason)

A paid chaplain coordinates community outreach events, hospital visits, youth programs, and local charity partnerships. Each offseason, this adds +3 fan excitement points to your franchise’s excitement metric — the same stat that affects attendance, merch revenue expectations, and the owner’s patience with your record.

Benefit 10 — Character Development

Active at: Paid only

Engine: Cultural modifier (long-term character arc)

Over time, a paid chaplain shapes the organizational culture. Players drafted or signed into this environment are slightly more likely to develop positive character traits and less likely to regress toward destructive ones. This is a slow-burn benefit — the payoff is a franchise that stays disciplined and accountable across multiple seasons, rather than requiring constant roster management to control locker-room issues.

Is a Paid Chaplain Worth It?

At $150K/year, a paid chaplain is one of the cheapest staff investments in the game. The staff budget cap typically allows $15M–$30M+ for coaching/scouting staff — $150K is a rounding error.

The ROI is strongest for teams that:

Even a Volunteer chaplain provides meaningful value at zero cost — the +3% clutch bonus and 10% faster injury recovery are worth activating immediately.

BrannGM: Football ’26 · Chaplain System Reference · v1.0 · July 2026

Part

III

Coaching & Staff

12

Chapter

The Coaching Staff

1 Coaching Staff Roles

Your franchise employs up to 11 coaching roles (4 coordinators + 7 position coaches). Every role is fully coded and affects gameplay in a specific way.

1.1 Coordinator & Head Coach Roles

1.2 Position Coach Roles

Development speed formula: developmentBonus = (rating / 70.0) + (0.15 if isDeveloper). A 90-rated position coach grows their players ~28% faster than a 50-rated coach (~71% multiplier).

2 Mental & Technical Sub-Ratings

Every coach has both MENTAL and TECHNICAL sub-ratings derived deterministically from their overall rating and personality traits. These are visible in StaffProfileView.

2.1 Mental Sub-Ratings

2.2 Technical Sub-Ratings

Position coaches rated 80+ develop their specialist group noticeably faster than coordinators filling that coaching slot. The game guarantees primary-role coaches always outscore secondary-role coaches in their specialty.

3 Blitz Frequency & Coaching Traits

3.1 Blitz Frequency

Each coach has a blitzFrequencyTrait of Low, Medium, or High, derived deterministically from their UUID. This is currently a display characteristic (visible in StaffProfileView) and is planned for wiring into GameSimEngine in a future update.

3.2 Other Coaching Trait Labels

4 Contracts — Greed, Loyalty & Ambition

Coaches have three character traits that affect contract negotiations and offseason movement decisions.

4.1 Trait Definitions

4.2 Departure Score Formula

Each offseason, CoachMovementEngine computes a departure probability (0.0–1.0) for every coach. A score ≥ 0.40 means the coach will accept outside offers from AI teams.

Extend contracts before they hit 1 year remaining to prevent poaching of valued staff.

5 Morale — Causes & Gameplay Effects

Morale (0–100) represents the team’s emotional state. It fluctuates throughout the season and has a direct, measurable effect on every game via the moraleBonus component of teamStrength.

5.1 What Drives Morale Changes

Morale is clamped to the range 25–100. It cannot fall below 25 no matter how bad the losing streak, and cannot exceed 100.

5.2 How Morale Affects Gameplay

moraleBonus in teamStrength = (morale − 70) × 0.04

Off-field incident probability: chance = max(0, (78 − discipline) / 100 × 0.12) + max(0, (65 − morale) / 100 × 0.05). Incidents further reduce morale by 3–8 pts and discipline by 1–4 pts, creating a compounding spiral if left unchecked.

5.3 motivationBaseline (Season Start)

When a new season begins, morale is initialized to the motivationBaseline — a staff-quality weighted average:

Head Coach motivation rating × 3 (biggest single lever)

OC + DC motivation rating × 2 each

STC motivation rating × 1

Each position coach motivation rating × 1

A coach’s motivationRating = their overall rating, boosted +12 if they have the isMotivator trait. Hiring a motivator HC is the fastest path to a higher season-opening morale.

6 HC Hot Seat System

The Hot Seat measures how much pressure your Head Coach is under from ownership. It appears in COACHES > STAFF and drives escalating BLITZ buzz lines throughout the season.

6.1 Heat Score Formula (0–100)

Computed by FanEngagementEngine.hcHotSeatScore(). Higher score = hotter seat.

6.2 Heat Tiers

6.3 In-Game Displays

COACHES > STAFF tab: A heat card appears below the HC row when score ≥ 25. Shows the heat score bar, tier label, and up to 3 replacement candidates from the free coach market.

Replacement candidates: HC-role coaches in the market, plus any OC/DC with OVR ≥ 70 who could be promoted. Sorted by rating descending.

BLITZ Buzz Report: Graduated language for any HC league-wide scoring ≥ 40. Score 40–59: ‘seat is getting warm.’ Score 60–79: ‘on notice.’ Score 80+: ‘ownership already vetting replacements.’

HomeView Banner: The existing GM Hotseat banner (ownerPatience <

tracks YOUR job security as GM — a separate system from the HC Hot Seat.

7 Quick Reference Summary

teamStrength Formula Components

teamStrength = base + staffFit + playerFit + archetypeBonus + coachBonus + moraleBonus + focusBonus + excitementBonus + chaplainBonus + chemistryBonus

Staff Baseline Weights (Morale / Discipline / Focus)

Key Thresholds at a Glance

13

Chapter

Staff Ratings & Budget

Internal reference — how star ratings are computed and how the staff budget works.

1. Staff Rating Cards — How the Stars Are Computed

Every star rating in the Front Office OVERVIEW tab converts a 0–100 internal score to a 0–5 star display by dividing by 20. A score of 80 = 4.0 stars; 60 = 3.0 stars.

Universal Star Rating Scale

1A. Coaches

Two rating cards appear on the Coaches summary block. Both derive from the coaching staff’s individual OVR ratings.

The engine also uses two additional weighted formulas internally to compute the OFF and DEF team ratings displayed on the team header:

Weighted Coaching Formulas (Internal Engine)

1B. Scouts

The scouting department has two distinct cards measuring different things: overall department accuracy vs. the Head Scout’s individual talent-identification ability.

EVALUATOR — Department Strength Formula

This score controls scouting accuracy: how close your reported OVR is to a player’s true OVR. A strength of 90+ means reports are usually within 2–3 points. Below 65, reports can be off by 10+ points — you may overpay for average players.

STAR SPOTTER — Head Scout Rating

Simply the Head Scout’s individual OVR. It represents talent identification ability — the ‘find the hidden gem’ skill. A 90-rated Head Scout may surface a 5th-round steal that a 65-rated scout would miss entirely.

1C. Physios

The physio department generates two sub-ratings from each physio’s attributes (derived from their base OVR via seeded randomization, seeds 50–53). Cards are averaged across both Head and Assistant Physio.

PREVENTION feeds the injury cushion multiplier — a 5-star physio department meaningfully reduces soft-tissue injury probability. REHAB controls recovery speed; players on a high-REHAB staff can return 1–2 weeks sooner.

If either physio slot is vacant, both scores default to 50 (2.5 stars). Keeping both slots filled is important — the assistant contributes nearly equally to both cards.

2. Staff Budget — How It Works

The staff budget is completely separate from the player salary cap. It is owner-controlled and covers all coaching, scouting, and physio salaries (plus the chaplain if paid). Players never draw from this pool.

2A. Starting Budget — New GM

When a new league is created, each team’s starting staff budget is set once based on the owner’s Spending personality rating (1–5):

The owner’s Spending personality is fixed at franchise creation. It represents ownership’s willingness to invest in the front office, independent of wins or losses.

2B. Annual Growth — 3% Per Year

The player salary cap escalates at 7%/year (CBA media-deal trajectory). The staff budget grows more slowly — front office and coaching markets inflate at roughly 3–4% annually in real football.

The recommended code addition in OffseasonEngine.swift (alongside the existing salary cap escalation line):

10-Year Budget Projection at 3% Annual Growth

The salary cap grows roughly twice as fast as the staff budget. This is intentional — it mirrors the real NFL, where player salaries consume an ever-larger share while coaching/staff costs grow more modestly.

2C. Budget Increases — Owner Petitions

Once per season, the GM can petition the owner for a one-time budget increase. Larger requests carry a penalty to the approval odds:

Petition Size vs. Odds and Consequences

Approved petitions permanently increase the budget (before annual 3% growth is applied). The owner expects more in return — the season goal steps up one level regardless of how big the increase was.

2D. Budget vs. Actual Staff Cost

The overview card compares the budget against the combined salaries of all coaches, scouts, physios, and the chaplain (if paid):

Being consistently over budget long-term damages owner patience similarly to poor on-field performance — the owner is watching both the win column and the front office’s financial discipline.

14

Chapter

Staff Chemistry

1. Overview

Staff Chemistry measures how well your Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator function as a unified leadership group. It is displayed in the Front Office Overview screen as a 0–100 score alongside your team’s Motivation, Discipline, and Focus gauges.

Chemistry is not about individual talent — it is about familiarity, trust, and shared philosophy. A 75-rated coaching trio that has worked together for three seasons will consistently outperform a 80-rated trio that was assembled last week.

2. The Chemistry Score (0–100)

Every team has a Chemistry score that ranges from 0 to 100. It has two components:

Base Chemistry — the underlying score, updated each offseason. Reflects multi-year trends in staff continuity.

Mid-Season Penalty — a temporary negative modifier applied immediately when you fire a core coach during the regular season. Resets to zero at the start of each new offseason.

Effective Chemistry = Base Chemistry + Mid-Season Penalty

The Effective Chemistry value is what drives the game simulation modifier and what is displayed in the Front Office.

Chemistry Tiers

3. What Drives Chemistry

Each offseason, after the league processes coordinator contract expirations and replacements, Chemistry is recalculated for every team. The engine looks at three things: who returned, who is new, and whether coordinators’ schemes align with the HC’s philosophy.

Offseason Delta Factors

Deltas are cumulative and applied to the existing base score each offseason. A team that has maintained the same HC/OC/DC trio with good scheme alignment will compound upward season over season — eventually hitting the 80+ HIGH tier and earning a permanent +2 team strength bonus.

Example — Season 3 chemistry calculation:

Start: 72 (Solid, from prior season)

HC returned → +3 (76)

OC returned → +5 (81)

DC returned → +5 (86)

OC scheme matches HC → +3 (89)

DC scheme matches HC → +3 (92)

Final base: 92 → HIGH (+2 team strength)

4. Mid-Season Firings

Firing your Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, or Defensive Coordinator during the regular season triggers an immediate Chemistry Penalty of −25 per firing. This penalty is applied on top of the base score and is visible immediately in the Front Office Overview.

Stacking: Multiple mid-season firings stack. Fire both your OC and DC in the same season and you take −50 combined.

Persistence: The penalty remains for the rest of the season. It does not decay week by week.

Reset: All mid-season penalties are cleared at the start of the offseason. The base score is then recalculated fresh based on who you retained vs. replaced.

Warning indicator: The Front Office Overview displays a red warning banner when a mid-season penalty is active, showing the current penalty amount.

5. How Chemistry Affects Game Simulation

Chemistry is applied as a modifier to team strength in every game simulation — both quick-sim (instant result) and full play-by-play. It layers on top of all other modifiers including player OVR, scheme fit, morale, discipline, focus, fan excitement, and the chaplain bonus.

6. Viewing Chemistry in the Front Office

Staff Chemistry is visible in the Front Office Overview tab, in the Locker Room card, directly beneath the Motivation, Discipline, and Focus gauges.

Locker Room Card — Elements

Chemistry score — the current Effective Chemistry value (0–100), displayed in the tier color.

Tier label — HIGH / SOLID / STRAINED / FRACTURED, color-coded to match.

Progress bar — visual fill from 0 to 100 in the tier color.

Penalty warning — a red banner appears below the bar when a mid-season penalty is active, showing the penalty amount.

Chemistry is only visible for your own team. When previewing an opponent’s staff in the Teams browser, the chemistry display is not shown.

7. Scenario Examples

8. GM Strategy Guide

Building High Chemistry

Identify an OC and DC who share scheme alignment with your HC before signing them — the scheme match bonus (+3 each) compounds over multiple seasons.

Prioritize coordinator contract extensions before they expire. A coordinator whose contract runs out is replaced by the AI with a 65% chance of scheme alignment — fine on average, but you lose the continuity bonus.

HC stability is the foundation. Even a modest HC who stays for five seasons earns +3 chemistry per year through continuity alone.

After drafting or rebuilding around a new scheme, accept one low-chemistry season while you install new coordinators — it pays off in year 2 and beyond.

When to Accept Low Chemistry

If your current coordinator is underperforming AND your base chemistry is already low (STRAINED/FRACTURED), the penalty of a new hire barely changes your situation.

Firing a coordinator in the offseason carries no mid-season penalty. If the system clearly isn’t working, the clean time to make a change is always the offseason, never mid-season.

An elite HC hire can briefly drop chemistry (−5 for being new) but the scheme alignment bonuses and the compounding tenure effect typically recover the loss within two seasons.

What to Avoid

Never fire your OC or DC mid-season unless the roster is already out of contention. The −25 penalty applied to the remaining schedule is almost never worth the short-term gain.

Don’t chase ratings alone. A 92-rated OC hired mid-season costs −25 chemistry and cannot recover it in-season. A retained 82-rated OC with two years of tenure contributes +5 chemistry — a 7-point swing before the game even starts.

Be aware of coordinator contract years. A coordinator on the last year of their contract is one offseason decision away from a −10 chemistry hit if you don’t extend or find a quality replacement.

9. Technical Reference

Data Model

staffChemistry (Int, 0–100): The base chemistry score stored on each Team. Defaults to 60 for old saves.

staffChemistryPenalty (Int, ≤ 0): Accumulator for mid-season firing penalties. Resets to 0 each offseason.

effectiveChemistry (computed): max(0, min(100, staffChemistry

staffChemistryPenalty)). This is the value used in game sim and displayed in the UI.

yearsWithTeam (Int, on Staff): Consecutive seasons the staff member has been with this team. Used by the offseason engine to distinguish returning (> 0) from new (= 0) hires.

Offseason Sequence

1. expireContracts — decrements contract years remaining for all staff.

2. expireAndReplaceStaff — AI teams auto-hire replacements for expired coordinators (65% scheme-match rate). New hires have yearsWithTeam = 0.

3. updateStaffChemistry — reads yearsWithTeam for HC/OC/DC, computes delta, applies to base chemistry, clears mid-season penalty, increments yearsWithTeam for all retained staff.

League Creation

LeagueSetup.generateStaff() seeds HC with 1–4 random years and OC/DC with 0–3 random years, simulating pre-existing team histories.

OffseasonEngine.seedInitialTrajectories() computes initial chemistry (clamped 35–85) based on the seeded tenures and scheme alignment, so teams start with differentiated chemistry from day one.

BrannGM: Football ’26 · Staff Chemistry System · Version 1.0

15

Chapter

Coach Role Impact & the Coach Hall of Fame

Coach HOF & Role Impact Reference

Hall of Fame Formula · Role-by-Role Gameplay BreakdownBlitz Frequency · Player Development Chain · Locker Room Impact

1 Coach Hall of Fame (HOF) System

The HOF bar appears on the CAREER tab of every Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator, and Special Teams Coordinator. Position coaches, scouts, and physios are excluded — they do not accumulate HOF points.

1.1 HOF Point Formula

Points are computed from four factors. The bar shows points / 1200 as a percentage.

Full formula (coded in Staff.swift):

1.2 HOF Thresholds

1.3 Estimated Career Stats Formula

Wins are derived from years × an OVR-scaled win percentage (since game-by-game logs are not stored globally per coach):

Example: OVR 90, 20-year career → (20 × (50+18)) / 17 = 80 wins × 2 = 160 HOF pts. Add 3 rings (360) = 520/1200 ≈ 43%.

1.4 Season History (GAMES Tab) — New in This Update

Each completed season now appends a StaffSeasonRecord to every coach. The GAMES tab displays these as a career history table with five columns:

• YEAR — two-digit season year (e.g. ’26)

• TEAM — three-letter abbreviation of the team they coached

• RECORD — regular-season W-L

• OVR — team overall rating (green ≥ 80, amber ≥ 70, red < 70)

• PO — 🏆 if champion; W-L if made playoffs; dash if they missed

Championship rows are gold-tinted. History records before the offseason movement engine runs, so it always reflects the team actually coached that year.

2 Coaching Role Impacts on Gameplay

All coaching effects flow through four pathways: (1) Team Strength — the core game-day OVR number, (2) Player Development — offseason OVR growth multipliers, (3) Locker Room — morale/discipline/focus baselines, and (4) Scheme Fit — bonus for matching HC philosophy to roster archetypes.

2.1 Head Coach (HC) — The Most Important Role

The HC’s CoachStyle (Smashmouth, Air Raid, Defensive Guru, etc.) determines the team’s offensive scheme alignment bonus. A perfect fit (OC scheme matches HC style) adds +2.0 to teamStrength; no fit = −2.0.

2.2 Offensive Coordinator (OC)

2.3 Defensive Coordinator (DC) — Includes Blitz Frequency

Blitz Frequency is deterministic (derived from the DC’s UUID) and permanent. It reflects the DC’s philosophy. A “High” blitz DC generates extra pass-rush pressure (+1.5 teamStrength) but leaves more coverage gaps. A “Low” blitz DC plays a conservative, bend-don’t-break scheme (−1.0). Medium is baseline.

2.4 Special Teams Coordinator (STC)

2.5 Position Coaches (QB / RB / WR / OL / DL / LB / DB)

Development chain: HC (30%) + Coordinator (35%) + Position Coach (35%). A vacant slot re-weights remaining coaches proportionally. Elite position coaches push development 25% faster than an average staff.

3 Locker Room Impact

Three baselines — Motivation, Discipline, Focus — are computed every time the team is evaluated. They feed team.morale and team.focus, which in turn affect teamStrength each game.

3.1 Baseline Weight Formulas

3.2 How Baselines Flow Into teamStrength

At morale 90: +0.80. At morale 50: −0.80. At morale 30 (toxic): −1.60. At focus 95: +0.75. At focus 50: −0.60.

3.3 Staff Chemistry (Separate Bonus)

Firing the HC, OC, or DC during the regular season applies −25 chemistry immediately. Chemistry recovers as tenure builds (each season together = +3 to +5 chemistry per pair).

3.4 Chaplain Stacks on Top of Coaching Effects

4 Quick Reference — Wired vs Display-Only

16

Chapter

The Coaching Carousel

Overview

BRANNGM: FOOTBALL ’26 — COACHING STAFF MOVEMENT SYSTEM

Promotion Ladder · Poaching Rules · OVR Translation · Retention Strategy

▸ THE PROMOTION LADDER

▸ CORE RULES

▸ OFFSEASON COACHING MOVEMENT SEQUENCE

Poaching Formula

COACHING DEPARTURE INTEREST SCORE — FORMULA REFERENCE

Each coordinator (and position coach OVR ≥ 75) is evaluated each offseason. If Departure Interest Score > 40%, the coach receives an offer from an AI team.

THRESHOLD & OUTCOME

Departure Calculator

DEPARTURE INTEREST SCORE — INTERACTIVE CALCULATOR

Enter values in BLUE cells. Score calculates automatically.

COACH INPUTS

SCORE BREAKDOWN

OVR Translation

OVR TRANSLATION ON PROMOTION

When a coach is promoted, their OVR is recalculated under the new role’s formula. Existing sub-ratings stay the same — only the weights change. A one-season adjustment penalty of −6 OVR then applies while the coach adapts to the larger responsibility.

PROMOTION PATHS — TRANSLATION FORMULA

QUICK REFERENCE — STARTING OVR IN NEW ROLE (before adjustment penalty)

⚠ Note: After the adjustment penalty year, the normal trajectory development system resumes. A promoted coach on an upward trajectory may recover quickly; one on a declining arc may struggle.

Sub-Rating Transfer

SUB-RATING TRANSFER MATRIX

Shows what percentage of each sub-rating carries forward when a coach is promoted. Sub-ratings that don’t transfer directly initialize at 60% of the coach’s overall average in the new role, representing base competency.

POSITION COACH → OC / DC

COORDINATOR (OC / DC) → HEAD COACH

Retention

COACH RETENTION — TOOLS & STRATEGY

When a coordinator receives an outside offer, the GM is given a retention window. The following tools are available to keep a valued coach.

RETENTION TOOLS

RETENTION PRIORITY GUIDE

Coaching Market

OFFSEASON COACHING MARKET — AI TEAM BEHAVIOR

After poaching is resolved and retention windows close, AI teams fill vacancies from the open coaching market. This tab documents the priority order and market pool composition.

COACHING FREE AGENT POOL — SOURCES

AI TEAM VACANCY-FILLING PRIORITY ORDER

💡 DESIGN NOTE: HC promotions from within are preferred by AI teams when the internal coordinator has OVR ≥ 72. This creates authentic coaching trees where coordinators ‘graduate’ to HC roles, mirrors real NFL patterns, and keeps the coaching market dynamic year over year.

17

Chapter

The Scouting Department

Scouting Department Reference Manual

How Scout Attributes Affect Draft Evaluation Accuracy

Game Design Reference | Internal Use

1. Overview

Your scouting department is the lens through which you see the draft class. Every evaluation you receive — OVR estimates, potential labels, skill group reveals — passes through your scouts first. Better scouts mean tighter error bands, more accurate grades, and fewer painful surprises on draft day.

Scout quality is governed by five systems: Overall Rating (the master accuracy number), Specialty (positional focus that sharpens accuracy at specific positions), Draft Round Strength (which round tier they evaluate best), Scouting Region (geographic coverage), and Mental & Technical Sub-Ratings (individual skill attributes). This document covers each system in detail.

2. Scout Roles and Hierarchy

The Head Scout is the anchor of the department. When no side specialist is assigned, the head scout carries 80% of the weight. When a side specialist is present (which is the normal state), the formula becomes:

Effective Rating = Head×0.50 + Specialist×0.40 + Avg(Assistants)×0.10

3. Overall Rating and Error Bands

Every scout has an Overall Rating (0–100). This rating determines the maximum OVR error the GM can receive when a scout evaluates a player. Higher ratings mean smaller error windows.

NOTE: Error is Gaussian (bell-curve distributed) — most evaluations land near the centre of the error band, not at the extremes. A 90-rated scout saying a player is a 78 OVR will usually be within 1–2 OVR of the true value.

4. Scout Specialty (Strength)

Every scout has a Specialty label shown on their profile card. This represents the specific area they evaluate best. Specialties are constrained by role — you cannot have an Offensive Scout with a Defensive Line specialty.

4.1 Specialty Options by Role

Head Scout

Can hold any specialty — the only role with full flexibility.

Offensive Scout

Can only hold offensive specialties. Restricted from any defensive specialty.

Defensive Scout

Can only hold defensive specialties. Restricted from any offensive specialty.

Assistant Scout

Assistants hold broad-focus labels only. They contribute to the department average (10% weight) but cannot hold positional specialties.

4.2 How the Specialty Bonus Works

When your scout evaluates a player whose position matches their specialty, the game adds a bonus to the effective scout rating before computing the error:

Side Specialist (Offensive or Defensive Scout) matching position: +8 to effective rating

Head Scout matching position (fallback, no side scout assigned): +6 to effective rating

Example: Your Offensive Scout is rated 85 (Very Good, ±4 OVR error normally) and holds the QB Specialist specialty. When they evaluate a quarterback:

Effective rating = 85 + 8 = 93 (Excellent tier)

Max error narrows from ±4 → ±3

Gaussian distribution means most evaluations land within 1–2 OVR of truth

On a private workout (most accurate action), this can effectively become near-perfect

The bonus applies across all scouting actions, scaled by how direct the evaluation is:

Scout Specialty ✔ CODED IN

5. Draft Round Strength

Each scout is assigned a Draft Round Strength label that reflects which tier of the draft they evaluate with the most confidence:

In a full implementation, a scout with “Early Rounds” strength evaluates top-50 prospects with tighter error bands, while a “Late Rounds” scout is better at finding sleepers that other teams’ scouts overlook.

Draft Round Strength ◌ Display Only

NOTE: Currently displayed as a profile trait. Full round-tier accuracy wiring is planned for a future update. The label is assigned and visible but does not yet modify the error formula.

6. Scouting Region

Each scout has a regional footprint — the geographic area where they have the strongest college connections, network contacts, and in-person evaluation history:

A scout with regional expertise has stronger scouting contacts in that area — better film access, more accurate pro-day attendance, and tighter error on players from those college programs.

Scouting Region ◌ Display Only

NOTE: Currently displayed as a profile trait. Regional accuracy modifiers (tighter error bands for players from that region) are planned for a future update.

7. Technical Sub-Ratings

Technical sub-ratings represent the hard evaluation skills a scout has developed over their career. These are displayed on the scout’s profile TECHNICAL tab.

7.1 Player Evaluation Rating — Wired In

This is the only technical sub-rating that directly modifies the accuracy formula. The head scout’s Player Evaluation rating is blended with their Overall Rating when computing their contribution to the department:

Head Scout Contribution = (Rating × 0.65) + (PlayerEvaluation × 0.35)

For a head scout (role = Head Scout), Player Evaluation = min(99, Rating + 5), giving a consistent slight upward adjustment. For scouts in other roles, Player Evaluation is derived independently (Rating ±10), creating real variation between scouts with the same Overall Rating.

7.2 Projection Accuracy — Planned

Designed to tighten the floor/ceiling estimate range on campus visits and private workouts. A scout with high Projection Accuracy narrows the ceiling band — giving you more reliable “upside” information. Not yet wired into the calculation engine.

7.3 Network Reach — Planned

Designed to unlock private workout access to otherwise unavailable prospects, and to increase the chance of discovering prospects at small schools who are not on other teams’ boards. Not yet wired in.

7.4 Draft Day IQ — Planned

Designed to modify the quality of AI recommendation signals on draft day — high-IQ scouts identify late-round value more reliably. Not yet wired in.

Player Evaluation ✔ CODED IN

Projection Accuracy / Network Reach / Draft Day IQ ◌ Display Only

8. Mental Sub-Ratings

Mental sub-ratings reflect the character, work habits, and reliability of a scout as a professional. These appear on the MENTAL tab of the scout’s profile.

Mental sub-ratings are derived deterministically from the scout’s Overall Rating (±10 variation) and are currently displayed as profile traits. In future development, they are intended to affect:

Scout Focus → how accurately interview red/green flags are detected

Scout Adaptability → reduced error when evaluating players in unusual schemes

Scout Work Ethic → number of scouting action points available per offseason

Scout Reporting → richness of the scout notes and skill group reveal text

All Mental Sub-Ratings ◌ Display Only

NOTE: All four mental sub-ratings are currently display traits. They are generated, shown on profile, and designed for future gameplay impact.

9. Scouting Actions and When Specialty Matters

The four scouting actions build your knowledge of a prospect across the offseason. Specialty bonuses apply differently depending on how direct the evaluation is.

NOTE: Film Reviews are applied automatically to the entire draft class at the start of each offseason. You spend Scout Days to take Campus Visits and Private Workouts on priority prospects.

10. Department Strength

Beyond individual scout accuracy, the department as a whole has a synergy multiplier that scales all error values. A high-functioning department reduces error by up to 30%.

Dept Strength = (Head×0.40) + (OffScout×0.25) + (DefScout×0.25) + (AvgAsst×0.10)

Department Synergy Multiplier ✔ CODED IN

11. Quick Reference Summary

BrannGM: Football ’26 — Scouting Department Reference | Internal Game Design Document

Part

IV

Roster Building

18

Chapter

Contracts & the Financial System

1. Salary Cap Overview

BrannGM: Football ’26 mirrors the 2026 NFL CBA salary cap structure. Every team operates under a hard cap — the maximum total compensation that counts against the team in any given league year. Managing cap space is one of the core strategic challenges of the game.

1.1 Cap Space Calculation

Cap Space = Hard Cap – Sum of all active contract cap hits – Dead cap obligations

A team’s cap space is tracked per year. Carry-over from prior years (unspent cap) adds to the following year’s available space. Draft pick holds reduce usable cap space by estimated rookie slot values.

1.2 Dead Cap

Dead cap occurs when a player is released or traded before his contract expires. Any remaining prorated signing-bonus installments accelerate and hit the cap immediately (pre-June 1), or are split across two years (post-June 1 designation). Dead cap counts against team salary cap even though the player is no longer on the roster.

2. Player Contract Valuation

Every player’s market value — what they demand in negotiation — is calculated from five stacked multipliers applied to a base positional rate. This ensures that a greedy 26-year-old injury-free superstar demands far more than a loyal 34-year-old veteran with an injury history at the same OVR.

Adjusted Market Value = Base Value × Age Mult × Trajectory Mult × Character Mult × Injury Mult

2.1 Base Value by Position & OVR

Base value uses piecewise-linear interpolation across three OVR anchors: OVR 40 (floor — near vet minimum), OVR 75 (average NFL starter), and OVR 99 (top-of-market elite). All values in $thousands.

2.2 Age Curve Modifier

Player age is the single largest modifier after OVR. A 27-year-old at peak prime commands full market rate; a 35-year-old at the same OVR is a significant risk and demands a discount. QBs receive a slight longevity premium (proved by historical play well into mid-30s). RBs face steeper decline curves.

2.3 Career Trajectory Modifier

A player on an upward OVR trajectory can demand a premium over his current rating — teams are paying for his future, not just his present. A declining player is worth a discount. Trajectory is assessed by comparing the last two seasons’ OVR values.

2.4 Character Trait Modifiers

A player’s personality traits — greed, loyalty, ambition, ego, and work ethic — directly influence what he demands in negotiation and whether he accepts below-market offers. These traits interact: a highly loyal but greedy player will still give a hometown discount but will haggle hard over the actual numbers.

Note: When multiple traits modify demand, all multipliers stack multiplicatively. A HIGH Greed + HIGH Ego player could demand ~36% above base market.

2.5 Injury History Modifier

Players with significant injury histories represent liability. Teams pay less and players receive discounted contracts reflecting the elevated risk. Active injuries at time of negotiation carry the steepest penalty.

3. Contract Structure

Every player contract in BrannGM: Football ’26 consists of several financial components that affect the team’s cap differently. Understanding the relationship between salary, bonus, cap hit, dead cap, and guaranteed money is essential to managing a competitive roster.

3.1 Signing Bonus Proration Example

A player signs a 4-year deal with a $20M signing bonus. Per CBA rules, $5M is prorated annually ($20M ÷ 4 years). If he is released after year 2 with 2 years remaining, $10M in dead cap accelerates immediately (pre-June 1) or $5M this year + $5M next year (post-June 1 designation).

3.2 Contract Weighting (Front / Balanced / Back)

The GM can choose how salary is distributed across the contract years:

4. Contract Types

4.1 Rookie Scale Contracts

All drafted players receive mandatory rookie scale contracts set by the CBA. Round 1 picks receive fully guaranteed 4-year deals; later rounds receive partially guaranteed deals. First-round picks also have a team option for a 5th year (must be exercised by May 1 of the player’s 3rd season).

4.2 Veteran Free Agent Contracts

When a veteran player’s deal expires, he enters free agency. Contract length is driven by position, age, and OVR:

4.3 Contract Extension

The GM can offer a contract extension to a player currently under contract at any time. The player’s demand is based on his adjusted market value at the time of extension. Extensions take effect immediately, replacing the remaining years on the current deal.

Salary offer within 10% of demand: auto-accepted

Salary offer 10–20% below demand: player evaluates based on loyalty/ambition traits

Salary offer 20%+ below demand: rejected outright

Loyalty HIGH trait: player accepts up to 15% below demand for his current team

Greed HIGH trait: tolerance narrows — must be within 5% of demand

4.4 Franchise Tag

The franchise tag keeps a free-agent player on the roster for one guaranteed year. The tag value is the higher of: the top-5 average annual salary at the player’s position, or 120% of his prior-year salary. Fully guaranteed — no release clause.

Franchise tag rules: A player can only be tagged a maximum of 3 consecutive years. Each repeat year increases the tag value by 20%.

4.5 Contract Restructure

A restructure converts base salary into signing bonus, reducing the current year’s cap hit but spreading the bonus proration into future years (creating future dead cap). Restructures are only available during the offseason.

Example: $20M base salary in Year 3 → convert $15M to signing bonus

Year 3 cap hit drops by $15M × (1 − 1/years_remaining)

Remaining years each gain +$15M/years_remaining in prorated bonus charge

Cannot restructure a player on the final year of his contract (nowhere to spread the bonus)

5. Staff & Personnel Contracts

Coaches, scouts, and physios each have their own salary structure. Staff salaries are driven by their OVR rating (a composite of all their relevant sub-attributes) and their role. Unlike player contracts, staff deals do not have signing bonuses or dead cap — they are year-by-year or multi-year base salary contracts that can be terminated without penalty.

5.1 Head Coach Salary Scale

5.2 Coordinator Salary Scale (OC / DC)

5.3 Position Coach Scale

5.4 Scout Salary Scale

5.5 Physio Salary Scale

5.6 OVR-to-Salary Formula (Staff)

Staff annual salary is calculated as a piecewise-linear interpolation from OVR to salary range for the given role, then randomized ±10% to add natural variation between teams:

staffSalary = lerp(floorSalary, peakSalary, (OVR − minOVR) / range) × random(0.90, 1.10)

This ensures a DC with OVR 84 always earns meaningfully more than a DC with OVR 67, while still having realistic variation between different teams’ contracts.

6. Owner & Board Financial Model

The team owner and board of directors control the financial environment the GM operates within. They set the season goal, allocate the staff budget, and evaluate the GM’s performance. Owner sentiment directly affects financial flexibility and job security.

6.1 Board Season Goals

6.2 Job Security Levels

6.3 Staff Budget

The board allocates an annual staff budget — the maximum the team can spend on coaches, scouts, and physios combined. This budget is separate from the player salary cap.

The owner’s willingness to spend on staff is influenced by: team record, fan engagement, market size, and board goal level. A winning team in a large market will see budget increases; a losing team in a small market under cost-cutting owner sees budget cuts.

6.4 Owner Investment Events

Occasionally the owner will offer special investment events triggered by milestone achievements:

Super Bowl win: +$8M–15M to next-year staff budget

Back-to-back playoff berths: owner extends GM contract by 1 year

Record season win total: optional $10M–20M player cap boost (next year)

Consecutive losing seasons: board applies pressure; budget reduced by $5M

Poor fan engagement (<40%): owner considers reducing payroll

7. Negotiation Mechanics

Negotiation in BrannGM: Football ’26 is driven by the gap between what the GM offers and what the player demands. Demand is calculated fresh at the start of each negotiation window, accounting for all modifiers described in Section 2. Character traits then alter the acceptable gap.

7.1 Demand Calculation

At the start of every negotiation (extension, free agency, restructure):

Base demand salary = Adjusted Market Value (Section 2 formula)

Bonus demand = 30–55% of annual salary demand (higher for higher-OVR players)

Length demand = Talent Tier → Generational/Superstar: 4–5 yrs; Star: 3–5; Quality Starter: 2–4; Starter: 1–3; Backup: 1–2

Total demand = (demand salary + demand bonus) × demand years

7.2 Acceptance Thresholds

The base acceptance threshold for most players is that the GM’s salary offer must be within 10% of the demand salary. Character traits modify this threshold:

7.3 Free Agency Dynamics

In free agency (offseason), players without contracts are available to any team. The following modifiers apply specifically to free agency negotiations:

Loyalty LOW: player is willing to leave for 5% more from any team

Ambition HIGH: player will accept 10% less from a team in the top 8 in team OVR

Ego HIGH: player expects to be the highest-paid player at his position on any team — will reject if not

Injury active at time of free agency: demand naturally reduced (see Section 2.5)

7.4 In-Season Contract Notes

Extensions can be offered at any time during the season (but require roster spot and cap space)

Franchise tags can only be applied during the offseason window before free agency

Restructures are offseason-only (Weeks 1–17 of the game calendar are regular season)

Players on IR can still be extended but demand a slight premium (uncertainty about return)

8. Cap Management Strategies

8.1 Cap Space Projection (Multi-Year View)

The Team → CAP HIT tab shows per-year projections including: Salary (base pay), Bonus (prorated signing bonus), Dead (accelerated dead cap from prior releases), Carry (rollover from prior year), Space (remaining cap), and Picks (cap reserved for draft class). Planning 3+ years ahead is critical to avoid cap crunches.

8.2 Trade Block Strategy

Adding a player to the trade block signals availability to all 32 AI teams. The trade engine evaluates offers based on player value vs. draft pick compensation. Players with high dead cap should generally not be traded unless the team can absorb the dead cap hit.

Dead cap ≤ $5M: trade freely — minimal impact

Dead cap $5M–$15M: trade only if roster upgrade is significant

Dead cap > $15M: consider post-June 1 designation instead to split the hit

8.3 Offseason Cap Workflow (Recommended Order)

During the offseason, follow this order to maximize cap efficiency:

1. Evaluate dead cap exposure — cut high dead cap players using post-June 1 designations

2. Identify extension candidates before free agency opens (locks up key players at pre-FA prices)

3. Restructure veteran contracts to create immediate cap space for free agency signings

4. Sign free agents — fill positional needs with cap space created above

5. Project rookie cap holds for draft class (estimated by round)

6. Check minimum spend floor — ensure rolling 4-year average meets 89% of cap

8.4 The Dead Cap Trap

The most common cap mistake in BrannGM: Football ’26: aggressively restructuring multiple star players’ contracts to create short-term space, only to face $40M+ in dead cap over the following two seasons when those players age out or decline. Every restructure should be evaluated against the multi-year cap projection, not just the current season.

9. Quick Reference

9.1 Market Value Modifier Summary

9.2 Staff Salary Quick Reference

All salary values are annual, in USD. Staff salaries fluctuate ±10% around these midpoints based on individual negotiation factors (experience, demand, prior team).

9.3 Salary Cap Milestones by Season

19

Chapter

The Trade System

Trade System Reference Manual

v2.0 · Season 2026

Overview

The Trade Center lets you negotiate player and pick deals with every CPU franchise in the league. The system uses a dynamic value engine to rate every player and pick, and AI teams will negotiate — not just accept or reject — when your offer is close to fair.

What’s new in v2.0: AI Counteroffers · My Trade Block · Player Trade Requests · Post-Trade BLITZ Headlines · Slot- and Year-Adjusted Pick Values · Talent Tier premiums on player values

Trade Center — Navigation

Open the Trade Center from the Front Office drawer. Three tabs organize your activity:

Three browse buttons at the bottom let you explore the market:

CPU BLOCK — players other teams are actively shopping

ALL PLAYERS — the entire league roster, filterable by position

ALL PICKS — every draft pick in circulation, sorted by year and round

Trade Value Engine

Every player and draft pick has a point value that drives AI decision-making. All values are displayed in the trade proposal builder next to each asset.

Player Value Formula

The base formula is exponential: Value = (OVR − 55)² × 5, then multiplied by three modifier stacks:

Talent Tier Modifier

Pick Value Formula

Draft pick values start from a round base, then apply two adjustments:

Base Values by Round

Slot Bonus (Round 1 only)

When a pick’s slot is known (assigned on Draft Day), the R1 base is adjusted:

Year Discount

Future picks are discounted ~12% per year. The formula is: Value × 0.88^(years out) — visible in the All Picks browser.

Proposing a Trade

Tap any player or pick to open the Propose Trade screen, or use the browse buttons at the bottom. You can also pre-seed a deal from a player’s detail card.

Value Bar

The bar at the top of the proposal builder gives live feedback:

GREEN / FAIR DEAL — within the AI’s acceptance margin; good to go

ORANGE / SLIGHT DEFICIT — slightly short; add value to avoid a counteroffer

RED / UNDERPAYING — well below fair; expect rejection or a counter

AI Counteroffers

When your offer falls in the 60–90% fair value zone, the AI proposes a modified deal instead of rejecting. A counteroffer card appears below the Submit button showing exactly what the CPU wants instead.

How the AI Builds a Counter

The engine tries two strategies in order:

Add a draft pick — find the pick from their stash whose value best closes the gap

Swap the main player — propose a slightly more valuable player from their roster as an alternative

The counteroffer card shows:

They Offer (green) — the adjusted package they’re willing to send

They Want — what you’d give (unchanged from your original offer)

Accept Counter or Decline buttons

Incoming Offers (Offers Tab)

CPU teams periodically send you offers for your players. Each offer card displays:

Partner team (tap to preview their roster)

You get / You give summaries with point values

A FAIR / SLIGHT HOLD / LOW BALL interest badge

Interest Badge

For each offer you can Accept (executes immediately), Counter (opens the builder pre-loaded), or Reject.

My Trade Block

The My Block tab signals to the rest of the league which of your players are available. CPU teams proactively bring targeted offers whenever you open the Trade Center.

How to Use It

Tap Add Player to Block → check players you’re open to trading

Tap the red minus button next to a listed player to remove them

Players who are traded are automatically removed from the block

CPU Block vs. My Block

Player Trade Requests

High-ego players who are unhappy may formally request a trade. A red alert banner appears at the top of the Offers tab.

What Triggers a Request

The engine checks your roster weekly during Weeks 3–14. A player is eligible if all three conditions are true:

Ego trait is HIGH

Age is under 30

OVR is 72 or above

Low locker-room chemistry (below 65) accelerates requests — all eligible players have an increased chance of demanding a trade.

Managing Requests

Each request card shows position, OVR, ego rating, and the week filed. You can:

Trade them — any accepted trade including that player clears the request automatically

Dismiss — removes the notification; the player’s unhappiness persists but won’t re-trigger immediately

Post-Trade BLITZ Reactions

Every completed trade — your deals or CPU-to-CPU swaps — generates an automatic BLITZ headline and a news item in your season feed under the Trade category.

What Gets Generated

A headline naming the teams and the most notable player

A detail line summarizing what each side received

Visible in the BLITZ Headlines tab filtered to Trade news

Trade Deadline & Offseason Rules

Strategy Tips

Picks: Value Decays Fast

Future picks lose ~12% per year — a current-year first is worth ~2× a 3-year-out first in the engine’s math

Slot matters post-Draft Day: a top-5 pick is worth 5,000 pts vs. 2,000 for a late-first

Never trade a current first-round pick for multiple late-round futures — the math rarely works out

Exploiting Counteroffers

If the CPU counters with a pick add-on, the pick may be worth more than the gap — accept quickly

Declining and re-submitting with a slight improvement can prompt a second, more generous counter

The 60–90% fairness window is your negotiating room — learn what it feels like on the value bar

Trade Block Timing

List players on your block by Week 2–3 — the AI generates targeted offers on every Trade Center visit

Listing a star (OVR 85+) draws offers from multiple teams, giving you leverage

A high-ego player requesting a trade is your strongest negotiating asset if rivals know you need to move him

Chemistry Management

Locker room chemistry below 65 accelerates trade requests — act early before a spiral starts

Trading away scheme-mismatched players raises chemistry passively over the following weeks

Check the Locker Room card in the Front Office Overview before any major deal

Quick Reference Glossary

BrannGM: Football ’26 · Trade System Manual · v2.0 · Season 2026

20

Chapter

Trade Values & CPU Offer Logic

Player values, draft pick values, fairness labels, and CPU trade logic

1. Player Trade Value Formula

Every player has a trade value in points, calculated as:

Trade Value = (OVR – 55)^2 x 5 x Age Factor x Position Factor x Talent Tier x Trajectory

The five multipliers are applied in sequence. Points are capped at a minimum of 50.

1a. OVR Curve (before multipliers)

The squared formula creates exponential value growth – an OVR 90 player is worth 4x an OVR 70, not just 28% more. This mirrors how elite NFL players command enormous trade returns.

1b. Age Factor

Age is one of the two biggest levers in trade value. A 23-year-old OVR 79 player (age factor 1.10) is worth ~37% more than a 33-year-old at the same OVR (age factor 0.65).

1c. Position Factor

Position scarcity and on-field impact drive the position multiplier. A 79 OVR RB will always trade for less than a 79 OVR WR – exactly as in the real NFL.

1d. Talent Tier

Talent tier captures ceiling potential beyond current OVR. A Superstar-tier player at OVR 79 is worth more than a Camp Body at OVR 81 – because the Superstar still has room to grow.

1e. Development Trajectory <– KEY FACTOR

Trajectory is the most commonly overlooked factor when evaluating trades. A young player with three green arrows (Strong Growth) is not the same trade asset as a veteran at the same OVR – even at the same age. The trajectory multiplier quantifies this difference.

Example from game: Adrian Bryant (RB, Age 23, OVR 79, Strong Growth) vs Perry James (WR, Age 28, OVR 77, Stable).

Before the trajectory fix, the game showed 2,851 vs 2,710 (ratio 95%) -> “FAIR”. With trajectory factored in, it shows 3,421 vs 2,710 (ratio 79%) -> “SLIGHT HOLD”. The CPU trade is now correctly flagged as a bad deal for you.

2. Fairness Labels

TradeView shows one of three labels based on the ratio of what you get vs what you give. These are calculated AFTER all five multipliers are applied.

The label is display-only and does not affect the CPU’s acceptance decision. A ‘FAIR’ offer can still be rejected if you’re proposing a trade, because the CPU’s acceptance uses a separate difficulty-adjusted threshold.

3. CPU Trade Acceptance – Proposed Trades

When YOU propose a trade, the CPU evaluates whether the ratio of value you’re offering meets a difficulty-based threshold. If yes, accepted. If close (60-90% of threshold), it may counteroffer.

GM Trait modifiers:

Architect GM: +5% to margin – CPU accepts deals 5% closer to the edge

Scouting Ace GM: -3% to margin – CPU is slightly tougher

Player Developer GM: young players you request (age 24 or under) count as 15% more valuable in the ratio

4. Counteroffer Logic

If your proposed trade fails acceptance but reaches 60% of the threshold, the CPU may counter rather than reject outright.

Strategy 1 – Add a pick: The CPU keeps the original offer structure but adds one of your existing draft picks (the one whose value best closes the gap) to what you owe.

Strategy 2 – Substitute their player: If adding a pick does not work, the CPU swaps the player they were sending for a different player from their roster whose value is closer to what you originally offered.

If neither strategy works (no picks available, no suitable substitute), the CPU hard-rejects. The rejection message shows: ‘They need ~X more in value.’

5. CPU-Generated Offers – Incoming Trade Proposals

The CPU periodically generates incoming offers targeting your players. Here is how they work:

Targets: CPU picks up to 10 of your players rated OVR 68+ and considers 2-4 of them for offers each refresh.

Package assembly: The CPU finds the single player from its roster whose trade value is closest to your player’s value, then checks if that player alone reaches at least 90% of target value. If not, it adds a draft pick that best closes the remaining gap.

Architect GM bonus: If your GM trait is Architect, the CPU values your players 10% higher – meaning CPU offers 10% more in return.

Trade block priority: If you place a player on your trade block, CPU teams specifically notice and bring targeted offers for those listed players.

Important: CPU-generated offers are assembled as roughly fair deals. They are not designed to exploit you – they reflect the CPU’s honest assessment. If an incoming offer now shows SLIGHT HOLD or LOW BALL, that is because the trajectory fix correctly identifies the CPU is requesting a rising player and offering a peaked or declining one.

6. Draft Pick Values (Summary)

See FD_Draft_Pick_Value_Chart.docx for the full reference. Summary for quick comparison when mixing players and picks in one deal:

Year discount: 12% per year out (x 0.88 per additional season). A pick 3 years out is worth ~68% of its current-year value.

7. Quick Reference – What to Watch for in Trades

Young players with green arrows are almost always worth more than their OVR suggests. Always check trajectory before accepting.

A 23-year-old at OVR 79 with Strong Growth is worth ~3,400 pts. A 30-year-old at OVR 82 with Stable trajectory is worth ~3,400 pts too. Same points – but the 23-year-old will likely be OVR 82+ next season.

RBs are penalised by position (0.90x). Never trade an elite young RB for a same-OVR player at a premium position unless the age and trajectory significantly favour the RB side.

CPU offers are assembled as roughly fair deals. If an incoming offer shows SLIGHT HOLD or LOW BALL, the CPU is requesting a more valuable asset than it is returning – hit Counter, not Accept.

Draft picks 2+ years out carry a heavy discount. A mid-first two years away (~2,800 pts) is worth less than an OVR 76 starter at a premium position with stable trajectory. Don’t over-value future picks in rebuilds.

BrannGM: Football ’26 – Internal Design Reference

21

Chapter

The College Draft System

Overview

BRANNGM: FOOTBALL ’26 — COLLEGE & DRAFT SYSTEM REFERENCE

Complete guide to college talent generation, stat scaling, combine, draft grades, and team interest factors

WHAT THIS DOCUMENT COVERS

SYSTEM PHILOSOPHY

• Generational talents (S+) are already elite ATHLETES at age 18-20. Their physical attributes (Speed, Burst, Jumping) reflect their PEAK potential, not just current development.

• Technical attributes (Route Running, Catching, Coverage) reflect current development stage. A sophomore S+ WR is already a 92+ athlete but might be a 72 in route running.

• College stats scale to peakOVR, not currentOVR. This means a 5-star freshman WR posts 55-75 receptions — not 12.

• Pro translation is NOT guaranteed. An S+ player is a generational talent with 80%+ hit rate, but Ryan Leaf-type busts happen at every tier.

• Combine rankings are relative to position group only — a WR’s 40-time is ranked only against other WRs in the class.

• Team Interest is multi-factor. A player who Wants to Win 99 but is offered by a 3-win team needs other factors (Starting Role, Coaching, Hometown) to compensate.

College Talent Tiers

COLLEGE PROSPECT TALENT TIERS

★ Physical Attr Floor = the MINIMUM value for Speed, Burst, and Jumping a prospect at that tier will show in the Skills tab (natural athletic gifts, already present in college)

Pro Translation Probabilities

PRO TRANSLATION PROBABILITIES BY TIER

What % of prospects at each tier reach their potential ceiling in the NFL? (Based on historical draft hit rates)

★ ‘Hit Rate’ = reaches ceiling (All-Pro/HOF for S+, Pro Bowl for S, solid starter for A/B). Outcome is randomized at career resolution stage.

Expected College Stats

EXPECTED COLLEGE STATS BY POSITION / TIER / YEAR

Stats generated using peakOVR as the ceiling base. Freshman floor = 55% of senior peak. Progression scale: FR=0.55 → SO=0.70 → JR=0.85 → SR=1.00

WIDE RECEIVER — RECEPTIONS / YARDS / TDs

QUARTERBACK — PASS YARDS / TDs / QBR

RUNNING BACK — RUSH YARDS / TDs

Combine Benchmarks

COMBINE BENCHMARKS & POSITION RANKINGS

Rankings shown as ‘#X of N’ within the same position group. Elite = top 10%, Good = top 25%, Average = middle 50%, Poor = bottom 25%.

40-YARD DASH BENCHMARKS (seconds — lower is better)

OTHER COMBINE METRICS

Team Interest Factors

TEAM INTEREST FACTORS — HOW EACH AFFECTS PROSPECT DESIRE

Each factor is scored 0–99 for the PROSPECT (how much they care about that factor). Team fit = how well your team scores on each factor the player cares about.

INTEREST FORMULA: totalInterest = (0.25×WantsWin×TeamWinScore) + (0.15×NearHome×HomeScore) + (0.15×FanBase×MarketScore) + (0.25×WantsStart×StartingPath) + (0.20×Coaching×CoachOVR)

★ All prospect-side scores are hidden from the player. The INTERVIEW action in ProspectDetailView reveals character data. Team Interest score (0–100) reflects the combined match.

Draft Grade System

DRAFT GRADE SYSTEM — COLLEGE GRADE & PRO PROJECTED GRADE

COLLEGE DRAFT GRADE (Top 100 prospects only — composite score rank)

PRO PROJECTED GRADE (ALL prospects — maps to peakOVR)

BLITZ NFL COMPARISON ACCURACY (by tier)

22

Chapter

Draft Pick Values

Design Reference & Trade Calculator Guide

1. Overview

BrannGM: Football ’26 uses a point-based trade calculator to help GMs assess fairness when exchanging draft picks and players. Every draft pick has a point value that accounts for two factors:

Round position — higher rounds are worth more. Within Round 1, the projected pick slot (based on current standings) makes top picks significantly more valuable than bottom-of-the-first picks.

Year discount — future picks are inherently uncertain and therefore discounted at approximately 12% per year out from the current season. A pick three years away carries roughly 68% of the value of the same pick today.

The system is intentionally asymmetric in Round 1 so that blockbuster trades (e.g., moving up from #20 to #3) require substantial compensation, mirroring the real NFL’s Jimmy Johnson-style value charts.

2. Round 1 Pick Values

Round 1 picks are divided into five tiers based on projected draft slot. All use the same 3,000-point base, with a slot bonus (positive or negative) added on top.

Note: The slot bonus uses the projected slot, derived from each team’s current win-loss standing at the time of the trade. The actual pick value updates once pick numbers are formally assigned on draft day.

3. Full Round 1 Table — All 32 Slots

Values shown for a pick used in the current season (no discount) and for the same pick 1, 2, or 3 years out.

4. Rounds 2 – 7 Base Values

Rounds 2–7 use a single base value regardless of slot within the round (slot data is not tracked for later rounds). Future-year discounting still applies.

5. Future Pick Year Discount

Every year a pick is in the future, its trade value is multiplied by 0.88 (an 88% retention rate, or ~12% annual discount). This reflects the genuine uncertainty of future picks — the team’s record and needs could change substantially.

Example: A Round 1 Elite pick (top 5) is worth 5,000 pts in the current draft. The same pick one year out is worth 4,400 pts, two years out 3,870 pts, and three years out 3,400 pts.

6. Trade Examples

Example A — Trading Up to the #1 Overall Pick

A team holding Pick #3 and a 2nd-round pick attempts to move up to #1. This is an aggressive move and requires overpaying.

Real-world NFL trades to the top pick typically involve a premium. The 900-point deficit is intentional — moving from #3 to #1 should feel expensive.

Example B — Rebuilding: Selling a Late First for Future Picks

A team in rebuild mode trades away a late first-round pick (#18) for a bundle of future picks. This maximises the quantity of assets.

The deal is essentially even at −8 pts, which the AI will accept. It nets the rebuilding team two extra picks (rounds 3 and 4) at the cost of moving from round 1 to later rounds.

7. Design Rationale

The five-tier Round 1 structure was chosen to create meaningful differentiation without requiring individual slot tracking for all 32 positions. Picks 1–5 are worth more than twice the value of picks 25–32 — reflecting the outsized impact of franchise-altering prospects at the top of the class.

The 12% annual discount (0.88 multiplier) sits between the conservative 10% and aggressive 15% found in other football games. It creates pressure to trade future picks soon, without making them nearly worthless at three years out.

Rounds 3–7 are intentionally compressed. In reality the gap between a 3rd-round and 7th-round pick in a trade is small — both are late-round fliers. The 12:1 ratio between a current-year R1 Elite pick (5,000) and a current-year R7 (75) mirrors the NFL’s historical rate of Pro Bowlers by draft round.

The system is used by both the trade calculator display (so the GM can see fair value) and by the AI trade engine when evaluating and generating counter-offers. Values for players use a separate formula based on OVR, age, position scarcity, and contract length.

BrannGM: Football ’26 — Internal Design Reference

Part

V

The GM’s World

23

Chapter

The Owner

Owner Profile — Ratings Reference Guide

How Every Owner Rating Shapes Your Franchise

1. Overview

Every owner in BrannGM: Football ’26 is generated with a unique personality profile that influences your franchise in real and persistent ways. Unlike the salary cap and player ratings — which change through your own decisions — the owner’s traits operate as background forces that set the conditions you work within.

There are five core personality ratings, each scored 1 to 5. Two additional computed values — Coach Desirability and Fan Approval — emerge from those ratings. Understanding how each rating works will help you read your owner, plan your roster strategy, and anticipate what is coming as seasons go by.

2. The Five Core Ratings

2.1 Spending (1–5)

Spending measures the owner’s willingness to open the checkbook — on player contracts, on coaching salaries, and on the overall staff budget. It is the single most direct link between owner personality and your operating resources.

Net Worth directly determines the Spending rating. Higher net worth owners can afford to be more aggressive — a $10B tech entrepreneur rates a 5; a $500M real estate developer rates a 1 or 2.

Staff budget formula: Base $8M + (Spending x $4M) = $12M to $28M at league start, growing 3% per year.

2.2 Patience (1–5)

Patience governs how long the owner will wait for results before the GM is on the hot seat. It is also the primary input into Coach Desirability — patient owners attract better head coach candidates because coaches know they will have time to build.

Patience drifts downward over time.

Each offseason that ends with two or more consecutive mediocre seasons, the owner’s Patience rating drops by 1 point (minimum 1). A 5-rated Patient owner who watches four straight losing seasons will eventually become a 3. Winning resets the streak counter but does not restore lost Patience points.

2.3 Ambition (1–5)

Ambition sets what the owner expects from the team each season — the internal goal beyond whatever the Board formally assigns. A high-Ambition owner sees a 10-6 season as underperformance if the team did not make a deep playoff run. A low-Ambition owner is content with respectability.

Ambition wanes with age.

Once an owner crosses age 70, there is approximately a 25% chance per offseason that Ambition drops 1 point. An 80-year-old who was a 5 at age 60 may have mellowed to a 3 — which can actually improve the working environment for a GM mid-rebuild.

2.4 Hands-On Rating (1–5)

Hands-On measures how involved the owner is in day-to-day football decisions. Think of the 1 end as a billionaire who signs the check and watches from a luxury box, and the 5 end as an owner calling into the film room.

The Hands-On Rating is the primary drag on Coach Desirability. A 5-rated meddler can offset an otherwise attractive franchise (high spending, high patience) because experienced coaches have seen this movie and do not want the sequel.

2.5 Fan Approval Rating (1–5)

Fan Approval reflects how much the fan base trusts and supports the ownership group. It is loosely correlated with Hands-On rating — visible, engaged owners tend to generate stronger fan opinions in both directions — but some beloved owners are very quiet and some hated ones are very public.

Fan Approval also contributes to Coach Desirability. Coaches want to work in markets where ownership is respected — it makes recruiting players easier, media relations smoother, and the job more prestigious.

3. Computed Values

3.1 Coach Desirability (1–5, computed)

Coach Desirability is not a rating you assign — it is calculated automatically from four of the five core ratings and updates whenever those ratings change.

Formula:

The result is clamped to 1–5. The Autonomy Score inverses the Hands-On Rating because coaches value independence — a Hands-On of 1 produces the maximum Autonomy Score of 5, while a Hands-On of 5 produces an Autonomy Score of 1.

Example: An owner with Patience 4, Spending 4, Hands-On 2 (Autonomy 4), Fan Approval 4 scores (4+4+4+4)/4 = 4 — a very desirable franchise. But if that same owner has a Hands-On of 5 (Autonomy 1), the score drops to (4+4+1+4)/4 = 3.25, rounded to 3. Meddling is expensive.

3.2 Net Worth (displayed, not rated)

Net worth is stored in millions and displayed as either $XM or $X.XB. It does not directly affect gameplay — its role is narrative, grounding the owner’s spending personality in a believable financial reality.

4. Succession Plan

As the owner ages, their succession plan becomes an increasingly important narrative element of the franchise. Succession plans change over time — an owner who was Undecided at 55 may clarify their intentions by 70, and by 75 any remaining Undecided owners automatically move to either Keep in Family or Actively Searching.

Age thresholds for succession drift: owners under 50 are almost always Undecided. Between 50 and 65, all outcomes are equally likely. Between 65 and 73, Undecided owners tend to crystallize toward a plan. At age 75 or older, the game forces any remaining Undecided owners to declare one way or the other.

5. Personality Drift Over Time

Owner ratings are not static. Three things cause them to shift over the course of a dynasty:

Patience can only go down — winning seasons stop the decline but do not restore lost points. Ambition can only go down once past 70. Think of it as the natural arc of an owner’s career: hungry in their 50s, realistic in their 60s, philosophical in their 70s.

6. How Every Rating Affects Your Franchise

The table below gives a quick-reference view of every rating and which franchise systems it touches.

7. Quick Owner Scenarios

These archetypes show how combinations of ratings produce recognizable real-world owner personalities.

The Silent Money Guy

Spending 2 / Patience 5 / Ambition 2 / Hands-On 1 / Fan Approval 3

Coaches love working here despite the lean budget because they have total autonomy and no pressure. Rebuilds are sustainable. Winning is a bonus.

The Impatient Billionaire

Spending 5 / Patience 1 / Ambition 5 / Hands-On 4 / Fan Approval 4

Enormous resources but a short fuse. One bad season and the GM is on the hot seat. Coaches worry about job security despite the money. A championship or nothing.

The Fan Favorite Owner

Spending 3 / Patience 4 / Ambition 3 / Hands-On 2 / Fan Approval 5

Community icon. Fan excitement stays elevated even in down years. Coaches want the job because the market loves them. Comfortable middle-class franchise with loyal fan support.

The Meddler

Spending 4 / Patience 3 / Ambition 4 / Hands-On 5 / Fan Approval 2

Money is there but the interference is constant. Top coaching candidates will pass. Expect to hire retreads and yes-men. Fans are skeptical and media criticism never stops.

The Builder

Spending 3 / Patience 5 / Ambition 3 / Hands-On 1 / Fan Approval 3

The ideal rebuild situation. Coach Desirability is high, pressure is low, and the GM can execute a multi-year plan without fear. Money is moderate but the environment is elite.

BrannGM: Football ’26 Owner Profile System | All ratings are seeded at league creation and evolve through offseason logic. Tap the owner card in the FRONT OFFICE > OWNER tab to view the full profile.

24

Chapter

GM Personality

BRANNGM: FOOTBALL ’26

GM PERSONALITY TRAITS

Master Gameplay Reference

Part of the BrannGM: Football ’26 Master Gameplay Manual

Version 1.0 · Season 2026

GM Personality System

Before your first season begins, you choose a GM Personality — a single trait that defines your management philosophy and shapes how the entire game responds to your decisions. This is not a cosmetic label. Each personality is wired directly into core simulation engines and produces measurable, persistent effects across every season you play.

There are seven personalities to choose from, each covering a different dimension of franchise management: finances, in-game performance, roster building, scouting, and trade leverage. Selecting the right one for your team’s situation is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make.

KEY RULES

• You choose once at game start — this cannot be changed mid-career.

• The trait applies only to your team (AI teams are not affected by your trait, but each has their own internal tendencies).

• Effects are passive — no in-game menu or button required. Everything runs automatically.

HOW TO CHOOSE

• Contending team needing one more piece → Cap Genius or Negotiator.

• Rebuilding through the draft → Scouting Ace + Player Developer.

• Competitive but losing close games → Motivator.

• Frequent trader and wheeler-dealer → Architect.

• Want a healthy, disciplined base → Disciplinarian.

Quick Comparison

1. Negotiator

CONTRACT SAVINGS IN FREE AGENCY

IMPACT AREA

Financial

Best for: Rebuilding teams & cap-strapped franchises

STRATEGIC NOTES

Best for teams with aging rosters or cap problems who need to bring in multiple free agents without breaking the bank. Compounds over time — the more deals you sign, the bigger the cumulative savings.

2. Disciplinarian

FEWER PENALTIES & LOWER INJURY RISK

IMPACT AREA

In-Game & Health

Best for: Teams with fragile rosters or penalty-heavy schemes

STRATEGIC NOTES

Best for teams with injury-prone depth charts or leagues where penalties decide close games. Passive — you benefit every week without any in-season management.

3. Player Developer

FASTER PROGRESSION FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

IMPACT AREA

Roster Development

Best for: Teams drafting early and building through youth

STRATEGIC NOTES

High-ceiling play. Takes 2–3 seasons to show full impact but can produce elite players who peak earlier. Stack with high-potential draft picks for maximum effect. Less effective on veteran-heavy rosters.

4. Scouting Ace

MORE ACCURATE DRAFT SCOUTING

IMPACT AREA

Scouting Accuracy

Best for: Draft-focused franchises

STRATEGIC NOTES

Best for GMs who love the draft and want to know what they’re getting before they pick. Reduces the risk of high-round busts significantly. Pairs extremely well with Player Developer.

5. Cap Genius

EXPANDED SALARY CAP FLEXIBILITY

IMPACT AREA

Financial

Best for: Contending teams needing one more piece

STRATEGIC NOTES

Straightforward advantage — $3M buys a solid starter or the difference between signing two free agents or one. Most valuable in the early seasons when every dollar counts. Less impactful once you’ve established cap room organically.

6. Motivator

CLUTCH BOOST IN CLOSE & PLAYOFF GAMES

IMPACT AREA

In-Game Performance

Best for: Competitive mid-tier teams and playoff contenders

STRATEGIC NOTES

Excellent for teams that are good but not dominant — turns coin-flip close games in your favor. Playoff boost means it scales in importance as you build a contender. Weaker value if you’re consistently blowing out opponents.

7. Architect

BETTER TRADE VALUE ON ALL DEALS

IMPACT AREA

Trade & Transactions

Best for: Trade-heavy and rebuilding GMs

STRATEGIC NOTES

Best for GMs who trade frequently or are rebuilding through trades. The premium compounds — selling off one aging star to a desperate AI team gets you more than fair value. Less impactful if you rarely trade.

YOUR LEGACY STARTS WITH ONE CHOICE.

Every GM personality shapes a different path to a championship. There is no wrong answer — only the wrong fit for your roster. Choose wisely, play to your strengths, and build a dynasty.

25

Chapter

Press Conferences

1. SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The Press Conference System triggers after key games and franchise events throughout the season. Each presser presents the GM (player) with 2–3 media questions drawn from a pool matched to the trigger condition plus a GENERAL pool that can appear at any time.

Each question offers three answer choices — labelled Safe, Bold, and Honest — with meaningfully different outcomes. The style label is visible before selecting; the impact numbers are not. Players learn the consequences of each archetype through experience.

Answers affect six game attributes: Owner Patience (OP), Fan Heat (FH), Team Morale (MOR), GM Clout (CLT), Head Coach Tension (HCT), and individual Player Loyalty (PL) where applicable. All impacts are additive and persist for the remainder of the season.

Select questions also generate a BLITZ headline — a story that appears in the BLITZ feed and may be referenced by future questions (the ‘Momentum Question’ mechanic, described in Section 3).

Some answers marked with a ⚠ warning carry delayed consequences: if the statement is later proven false by in-game events, a penalty applies to Owner Patience and GM Clout beyond the normal impact value.

2. TRIGGER CONDITIONS

A press conference fires when one of the following conditions is met. Triggers are evaluated after each game result and at key offseason moments. If multiple triggers fire simultaneously, only the highest-priority trigger determines the question pool (priority order: championship events → playoff events → loss streaks → single-game results → offseason moments → GENERAL).

3. IMPACT SCALE & RULES

Each answer impact is expressed as a modifier on a -5 to +5 scale applied to that attribute’s 0–100 meter. Impacts stack across a season and reset at the start of each new season (except GM Clout, which carries forward as a career stat).

Cadence and special rules:

4. PRESS CONFERENCE QUESTIONS (1–100)

Questions are organized into nine categories. Category color coding is carried through the document header on each question block.

◆ POST-LOSS / STRUGGLES

A

Safe

“We’re going through adversity, but our guys are working hard. I’m confident we’ll turn this around.”

IMPACT

OP 0 | FH -2 | MOR +1 | CLT -1 | HCT 0

BLITZ: “GM offers measured response after three-game slide”

B

Bold

“This is unacceptable. I’m putting the entire organization on notice — players, coaches, everyone.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +2 | MOR -3 | CLT +1 | HCT +2

BLITZ: “GM fires warning shot after third straight loss”

C

Honest

“I take responsibility too. The buck stops with me. I have to do a better job putting this team in position to win.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +2 | MOR +2 | CLT +2 | HCT 0

BLITZ: “GM takes personal accountability for team’s slide”

A

Safe

“I’m not going to make those evaluations after one game. We assess things as we always do.”

IMPACT

OP 0 | FH -1 | CLT -1 | HCT 0

BLITZ: “GM deflects DC pressure after blowout”

B

Bold

“Nobody’s job is guaranteed when we give up 40 points. That’s not the standard here.”

IMPACT

OP +1 | FH +3 | MOR -2 | CLT +1 | HCT +4

BLITZ: “GM puts DC on notice after 40-point disaster”

C

Honest

“The DC and I have already sat down. We’ve identified what happened and there’s a clear plan in place.”

IMPACT

OP +1 | FH +1 | CLT +2 | HCT -1

BLITZ: “GM and DC huddle after rough outing”

A

Safe

“Absolutely. He’s our guy and we have complete faith in him.”

IMPACT

FH -1 | MOR +2 | CLT 0 | PL +3

BLITZ: “GM stands by star after rough outing”

B

Bold

“Everyone on this team — regardless of salary — has to play better. He knows that.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR -1 | CLT +1 | PL -3

BLITZ: “GM doesn’t give star a pass after poor game”

C

Honest

“One bad game doesn’t define what he is. We’ll get him right and he’ll respond.”

IMPACT

FH 0 | MOR +1 | CLT +1 | PL +1

BLITZ: “GM keeps perspective on star’s off-day”

A

Safe

“I talk to our players every day. I don’t recognize the team those reports describe.”

IMPACT

FH 0 | MOR +1 | CLT -1

BLITZ: “GM dismisses locker room division report”

B

Bold

“If there are players who aren’t fully bought in, they won’t be here much longer. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

IMPACT

FH +1 | MOR -3 | CLT +1 | HCT +2

BLITZ: “GM: Dissenters in locker room won’t last long”

C

Honest

“Every team going through a stretch like this has tension. The question is whether you use it productively. We will.”

IMPACT

FH 0 | MOR +2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM: Tension is normal — how you respond defines you”

B

Bold

“At some point you have to call it what it is — the scheme has to be re-evaluated.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR -1 | CLT +1 | HCT +3

BLITZ: “GM calls out scheme after red zone struggles”

B

Bold

“Their coaching staff won the halftime battle. Our staff needs to do better putting players in the right position.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR -2 | CLT 0 | HCT +4

BLITZ: “GM points finger at coaching staff after historic second-half collapse”

B

Bold

“If we play like this, no. Our standard hasn’t changed. Our intention to meet it hasn’t either.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +2 | MOR -2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM: Standard hasn’t changed — and neither has the expectation”

B

Bold

“Watch this space. I’m not going to give other GMs information they can use at the negotiating table.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM goes quiet on deadline — and that means something is happening”

B

Bold

“It’s both. And we have to solve both. That can’t happen.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR -1 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM: Both conditioning and mental toughness failures in blown lead”

A

Safe

“Coach has my full support.”

IMPACT

FH -2 | CLT -2 | HCT 0

BLITZ: “GM backs HC — but the vote of confidence rings hollow”

C

Honest

“I expect more from all areas of this organization, including the coaching staff. I’ve communicated that directly.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +3 | CLT +1 | HCT +4

BLITZ: “GM delivers pointed message to HC after fifth straight loss”

B

Bold

“It changes now. If it doesn’t, there will be significant personnel consequences.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR -2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM puts roster on notice over turnover crisis”

A

Safe

“That’s completely unacceptable. Our players deserve better and we’re addressing stadium security immediately.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR +2 | CLT +1 | PL +2

BLITZ: “GM takes hard stance after fan incident”

C

Honest

“I’m embarrassed. That player is a professional representing this city and that’s how he’s treated. It won’t happen again.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | MOR +2 | CLT +2 | PL +3

BLITZ: “GM: I’m embarrassed — our players deserve better”

◆ POST-WIN / MOMENTUM

B

Bold

“This is for the fans, the city, everyone who stuck with us. Now we go take what’s ours.”

IMPACT

FH +5 | MOR +4 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM delivers emotional promise to city after playoff clinch”

B

Bold

“You have to be honest — there were moments this season where I asked hard questions. But these guys found answers.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | MOR +2 | CLT +3

BLITZ: “GM: We had doubts — players answered every single one”

B

Bold

“I attribute it to a defensive coordinator who has built something special and players who execute it perfectly.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | MOR +3 | CLT +1 | HCT -2

BLITZ: “GM heaps praise on DC after franchise-record shutout”

B

Bold

“Honestly? In training camp of his rookie year, I called the owner and said ‘we found our guy.’”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +4 | CLT +2 | PL +2

BLITZ: “GM reveals he knew second-year QB was special from day one”

B

Bold

“It means everything for the culture of this place. We’re not letting them own us anymore.”

IMPACT

FH +5 | MOR +4 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM: We’re done letting them own us — this division runs through us now”

B

Bold

“I’m not going to pretend it isn’t personal. We’ve built something real here.”

IMPACT

OP +3 | FH +4 | MOR +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM lets the emotion show after first division title”

B

Bold

“The so-called experts can eat it.”

IMPACT

OP -1 | FH +5 | MOR +3 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM takes gleeful shot at doubters after surprise season”

B

Bold

“It says other teams left a really good player on the board. We saw what others missed.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | CLT +3

BLITZ: “GM: We saw what 31 other teams missed in the 5th round”

◆ PLAYER-SPECIFIC

C

Honest

“We want him here long-term. I think we’ll find common ground.”

IMPACT

PL +3 | FH +2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM signals desire to lock up star long-term”

B

Bold

“Yes. He knows it’s a concern, his position coach knows it. We’re addressing it directly.”

IMPACT

PL -1 | FH +2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM won’t shield star from scrutiny over drop problem”

B

Bold

“Accountability applies to everyone on this roster regardless of status or salary.”

IMPACT

PL -3 | FH +2 | MOR +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM sends clear message: no one above accountability”

C

Honest

“I’m committed to paying players what they’re worth in this market. He knows what that means.”

IMPACT

OP -1 | PL +3 | FH +3 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM puts money where his mouth is on franchise QB”

C

Honest

“I’m not going to trade a Pro Bowl player because things got tough. We’ll fix this internally.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | PL -1 | MOR +1 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM refuses to blink on trade demand — vows to fix situation”

B

Bold

“I’ll be exploring every option available — trades, the street, our practice squad. We’re not folding.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM goes into attack mode after season-ending injury to star”

C

Honest

“The reports are exaggerated. We were nowhere near trading him.”

IMPACT

PL +2 | FH 0 | CLT -1

⚠ If later proven false: OP -3, CLT -3

B

Bold

“That’s not how we operate here. Full stop. And he knows that now.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | PL -2 | MOR +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM shuts down player’s social media outburst with no ambiguity”

B

Bold

“The player has been suspended indefinitely pending a full investigation. We have a standard here.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | MOR +1 | PL -4 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM takes hard line after player arrest: indefinite suspension”

A

Safe

“Those reports are not accurate. Roster decisions are made after the season.”

IMPACT

PL +2 | FH 0 | CLT -1

⚠ If later proven true: OP -3, CLT -3

A

Safe

“We’ll evaluate everything in the offseason. Both guys are assets.”

IMPACT

FH +1 | PL -1 | CLT 0

⚠ PL applies to starter

B

Bold

“He played great. But we know who our starter is. This league will humble you fast.”

IMPACT

FH +1 | PL +2 | CLT 0

⚠ PL applies to starter

◆ COACHING STAFF

B

Bold

“If that’s true, it’s the first I’m hearing of it and it would be a significant breach of trust.”

IMPACT

FH +1 | HCT +4 | CLT 0

BLITZ: “GM reacts to shock HC interview report: ‘breach of trust’”

C

Honest

“I’ve had frank conversations with the OC. The offense needs to improve and he knows that.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | HCT +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM delivers frank message to OC: improve or face consequences”

B

Bold

“My responsibility is to this franchise. I’ll make whatever decision is right for them.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | HCT +4 | MOR -2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM refuses to take midseason firing off the table”

B

Bold

“There’s healthy debate in any draft room. I make the final call and I stand behind it.”

IMPACT

HCT +2 | FH +1 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM confirms friction with HC over draft pick — owns the decision”

◆ DRAFT & PROSPECTS

B

Bold

“I’m not going to show my hand. Other GMs are watching these pressers too.”

IMPACT

FH +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “Tight-lipped GM turns draft presser into its own chess match”

B

Bold

“Yes. And I’m willing to do what it takes to get there — including trading up.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM issues rare public commitment: franchise QB coming one way or another”

B

Bold

“The same analysts gave us D’s three years ago. Those players are now starting on playoff teams.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | CLT +3

BLITZ: “GM cites track record in defiant response to draft grades”

B

Bold

“We don’t tank. We never have and we never will.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +3 | MOR +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM refuses to tank for franchise QB — calls it a non-starter”

B

Bold

“Next season. I’m done being patient. We have the talent — now we perform.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +3 | MOR +2 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM draws a line: rebuild era is over — next year we compete”

◆ FREE AGENCY & CONTRACTS

C

Honest

“Let’s just say we’ve done our homework on their roster for years. Now we’re cashing in.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM gets revenge on rival — twice in 48 hours”

◆ OWNER RELATIONSHIP

B

Bold

“Every season is a ‘win or else’ season for me personally. That’s how I approach my job.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM reframes hot seat talk: every season is win-or-else for me”

◆ SCHEME & STRATEGY

B

Bold

“When you’re ranked 29th at anything in this league, something has to change. Yes.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | HCT +3 | CLT +1

BLITZ: “GM publicly demands scheme change after red zone disaster ranking”

◆ SEASON EXPECTATIONS / CAREER

B

Bold

“They hold onto results — and I intend to give them results. I’m done asking for patience.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +3 | MOR +2 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM draws line in the sand: done asking for patience after three straight misses”

B

Bold

“That’s on me and I take it seriously. The fans are our bosses as much as the owner is.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | OP +1 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM takes ownership of fan dissatisfaction in disarming moment”

B

Bold

“Every room I walk into, I know I have to earn it. That’s fine. I always have.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “Young GM earns his respect the hard way — one room at a time”

B

Bold

“Specifically? [Decision]. I’d make a different call there. I’ve made peace with it and moved on.”

IMPACT

FH +3 | CLT +3

BLITZ: “GM shows rare vulnerability: here’s exactly what I’d do differently”

C

Honest

“Write it down. Put it in a bulletin. Post it on the wall. We’ve been motivated by less.”

IMPACT

FH +4 | MOR +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM uses national media’s worst-run label as pure motivation”

B

Bold

“Every single day. That’s why we come to work. The city deserves a champion and we’re going to give them one.”

IMPACT

OP +2 | FH +5 | MOR +3 | CLT +2

BLITZ: “GM makes public promise: we’re ending the drought — and he means it”

26

Chapter

The Player Hall of Fame

Overview

BRANNGM: FOOTBALL ’26 — Hall of Fame Algorithm

All point values reduced by 20% from previous revision — making HOF harder to achieve

HOF PROBABILITY LABELS

Source: 30 years NFL HOF inductee career stats (Pro Football Reference) + BrannGM: Football ’26 game design, 2026

QB

🏈 QB — HOF Scoring Thresholds

QBs need sustained volume + efficiency. Rings (+12 each) are the #1 multiplier.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

ADDITIONAL FACTORS

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

RB

🏃 RB — HOF Scoring Thresholds

10,000 yards is the historic benchmark. Rings (+12 each) add huge weight.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

WR

🎯 WR — HOF Scoring Thresholds

10,000 yards + 700 catches = strong candidate. Jerry Rice is the ceiling.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

TE

🏹 TE — HOF Scoring Thresholds

Tony Gonzalez set the modern standard. 700+ catches + 9,000 yards = strong candidate.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

DE-DT

💥 DE-DT — HOF Scoring Thresholds

100+ sacks is the HOF benchmark. Bruce Smith (200) and Reggie White (198) are the ceiling.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

LB

🛡️ LB — HOF Scoring Thresholds

Ray Lewis (2,059 tkl) and LT (132.5 sk) define the two HOF archetypes for LBs.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

CB

🔒 CB — HOF Scoring Thresholds

Interceptions are the #1 metric. 40+ INTs is near-automatic. Deion Sanders (53) = gold standard.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

Safety

🦅 Safety — HOF Scoring Thresholds

Safeties need big INT totals OR massive tackle numbers. Ed Reed (64 INT) = gold standard.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

K

🥾 K — HOF Scoring Thresholds

Kickers are rarely inducted. 450+ FGM + high accuracy = strong candidate.

Source: Pro Football Reference career stats (through 2024 season)

STAT THRESHOLDS (bracket scoring — higher threshold replaces lower)

ADDITIONAL FACTORS

REAL NFL HOF EXAMPLES

Part

VI

Expanded Systems

A1

Expanded System

The BLITZ Gamecast

Every game can now be watched live through the BLITZ Gamecast: a broadcast-style screen with a live scoreboard, an angled field with a home-colored crowd, and four tabs (Gamecast, Play-by-Play, Stats, Box). Each play animates on the field — pass arcs trace to the catch point, runners advance dot by dot, kicks fly at the posts — while a black play card carries the story: the key men’s portraits, their running stat lines, and the outcome. The card never goes blank; it holds the last play’s full result until the next play is nearly done, and the down pills, score, and ball spot all update in one clean moment after the chains move.

Playback runs at a watchable broadcast pace by default with a speed button that climbs 1× · 2× · 4× · 8×. Hold anywhere to pause. Down, distance, and spot on every play row follow the NFL pre-snap convention — each row reads the situation the play started from, exactly like a real play-by-play log. On a touchdown, the crowd comes alive: seats pulse and flashbulbs pop around the stands.

A2

Expanded System

Penalties

A full penalty engine calls roughly six accepted flags per team per game, matching NFL rates. Real types with real enforcement: false starts, holding calls, delay of game, offside, defensive holding, pass interference, face masks, and roughing the passer — automatic first downs where the rulebook grants them, half-the-distance near the goal line. The flag lands on a named man, weighted toward low-composure players, and team discipline plus the coaching staff’s specialties tilt each team’s rate.

A3

Expanded System

Situational Football

The simulation now plays the full rulebook. Overtime: a 10-minute regular-season period where both teams are guaranteed a possession and ties are real; postseason periods keep coming until somebody wins. Two-point conversions follow the analytics chase chart. Onside kicks arrive on the real desperate-team cadence and are recovered under 10% of the time. Safeties produce free kicks. Punts and field goals can be blocked, returners muff punts, and kick and punt returns — including the rare house call — move the actual spot.

Fourth-down decisions come from a probability table measured on roughly 58,000 real NFL fourth downs, tilted to the modern aggressive era, with each head coach’s temperament bending the call. Clock management is real: spikes, kneels, hurry-up, and timeouts held for the two-minute drill.

A4

Expanded System

Schemes Call the Game

Coaching schemes now shape play calling, not just player fit. An Air Raid team passes in the mid-60s percent, a Run Heavy team in the high-40s — the real NFL team spread — layered over the down-and-distance tables, so the situation always keeps a vote. Throw depth is each scheme’s signature: Vertical Threat hunts deep shots, West Coast lives on timing routes and screens, Air Raid works the intermediate zones.

Defensive schemes have mechanical identity. Blitz Heavy genuinely raises sack rate but concedes to the quick game; Cover 3 smothers deep completions, bleeds underneath, and converts more interceptions; Cover 2 leaves the deep seams throwable and gets gashed by the power run; the 4-3 front remains the league’s run-stopper. These stack with the scheme-versus-scheme matchup table and archetype fits from the main manual.

A5

Expanded System

The League Talent Thermostat

The league self-corrects across decades. At the first season roll the league locks in its founding average team rating as a baseline; every draft class thereafter is biased up or down (within ±5 points of prospect ceiling) in proportion to how far the league has drifted from that baseline. Year 2075 plays at the same talent level as year 2026 — no long-term decay, no inflation.

A6

Expanded System

Ceilings That Live

The Anomaly — roughly once a season somewhere in the league, a player 24 or younger with good-or-elite work ethic simply becomes more than anyone projected: his ceiling jumps +4 to +8, and one in ten of those leaps is generational (+9 to +14). BLITZ announces it. This is the late-round pick who becomes the franchise.

Elite rooms raise ceilings — a position group coached at 88+ can add a point of potential per offseason to its under-27 players.

Ceilings age — from 27 a player’s potential squeezes toward his actual overall (harder at 29-30), and from 31 the card simply reads what he is. A young card is a projection; a veteran card is the truth — and trade value follows the same logic.

Specialists — kickers and punters cap at a 94 ceiling for life, and face a near-lockout at the Hall of Fame, matching the real Canton, which has admitted one punter ever.

A7

Expanded System

Staff Who Rise and Fall

Every staff rating — head coaches, coordinators, position coaches, scouts, physios — now moves in both directions. Young staff climb the steep part of the curve, the first years in a role teach the most, and winning accelerates growth; a coach under 40 on an 11-win team can jump two points in an offseason, creating the rising-star coordinator the carousel fights over. From the mid-50s age erodes ratings, steeply past 70. The carousel itself runs on real cadence: retirements by age, AI teams firing failed coaches, scheme-matched coordinator hires, and complete staffs — all seven position coaches — on every team.

A8

Expanded System

The GM’s Career Is a Story

Getting fired is a beginning, not an ending. The owner confronts you in his own words; you can plead for one more year at visible odds. Accept dismissal (or resign) and the BLITZ bulletin breaks the news, the GM Search opens with teams that want you, and the hire lands with an owner offer, a contract signed with your finger, and a HIRED bulletin over your new team’s home screen. Your record, honors, and reputation follow you. Owners themselves turn over — sales, retirements, and deaths bring new bosses with new personalities — and your salary rises with the market on renewals.

A9

Expanded System

Starting a Career

A new career asks how you want to begin. Season Opener hands you a ready team in week one. The Offseason simulates the season before your arrival — real standings, real awards, a real draft order — and starts you at the owner meeting with the full offseason ahead. Rosters come from a fresh randomized league every time, or from your own uploaded workbook (a template exports every player, team, coach, and owner field).

Scenario starts add curated challenges on Choose Your Team: THE LAUGHINGSTOCK (the league’s worst roster, made worse), CAP CRUNCH (a contender with its biggest deals 40% underwater), and THE AGING DYNASTY (the best roster in football with its core suddenly 29-and-older). Any team is still yours to take — the scenario team is the story. Five named save slots hold five careers, and Save As New Game branches any moment into a fresh slot.

A10

Expanded System

The BLITZ Media Layer

The league covers itself. A shared news ticker runs real league stories; the home screen leads with a ranked drama engine (never housekeeping); season previews and draft reviews are full BLITZ broadcasts with situational headline engines; weekly recaps, power rankings with real movement, players of the week on fantasy points, hot-seat coverage, and rumor mills scoped to your team round it out. Press conferences are BLITZ broadcasts too — stage-aware questions, tone choices with real gamble outcomes, and a walkout penalty.

RECORD WATCH — from midseason, BLITZ tracks the league’s stat leaders against the all-time single-season records: passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, receiving yards. When a leader’s pace puts a record in reach, the chase becomes a story; the week it falls, RECORD BROKEN leads the wire.

A11

Expanded System

Records, Legends, and the GOAT

League ▸ History carries all-time career records, single-season record cards with portraits, and best-draft-pick rankings by career peak. The Hall of Fame keeps every inductee’s portrait and fantasy-point totals, sorts by year or position, and crowns a BLITZ GOAT Ranking — a top five weighing rings, production (defense and tight ends adjusted), and peak, with quarterbacks on a slight curve and no offensive linemen or specialists eligible. Retired greats live on in memorable-player archives, retirement tributes, and the record book.

A12

Expanded System

Injured Reserve

Players out four-plus weeks are IR-eligible from the player card: the roster spot frees, the contract still pays, and season-ending designations behave like the real rule. All injuries heal across the offseason, with a conditioning toll on long-injury returns.

BRANN GM · Football ’26

Updates & Clarifications

Price — the launch price is $4.99 one-time (not $3.99). Everything included, no ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases — that part stands.

Defensive schemes — there are five: 4-3, 3-4, Cover 2, Cover 3, and Blitz Heavy. “Zone Heavy” was cut before implementation.

Team names — nicknames are randomized per league and editable; treat the in-game list as authoritative rather than the Chapter 1 table.

Field animation — the Gamecast is drawn with SwiftUI Canvas, not SpriteKit dots as Chapter 13 described, and exceeds the original spec.

Viewing modes — Watch (Gamecast), box-score reveal via Game Day, and sim-to-my-game / sim-week flows replaced the old Watch / Fast / Instant triad.

Part

VII

The Newest Systems

B1

New System

Free Agency 2.0

Free agency now runs as a dated, multi-week bidding market. Each free agent carries an interest read from his agent — a meter and a voice that tells you where your offer really stands — and named rival suitors who bid against you in real time. Advancing a window flashes your wins and losses before the next opens, and the re-signing phase carries the same bidding tension for your own expiring players. The salary cap is a hard wall: no signing can put you over, and a rookie-pool reserve warning protects the money your draft class will need. In-season signings prorate by the weeks remaining and arrive with an integration ramp — a man signed in November is not at full effect in November. Cutting or trading a player you signed that same offseason carries a real trust cost with agents and the locker room.

B2

New System

Record Watch, Milestones, and the Ring of Honor

The BLITZ now tracks players chasing single-season records with escalating alerts, and a record falling is a bulletin. Career milestones — yardage, touchdowns, sacks and the rest — fire their own bulletins as they pass. Every franchise keeps a Ring of Honor, and the greats who defined your team take their place in it.

B3

New System

Holdouts

Underpaid stars can now hold out. A declaration engine weighs the gap between a player’s deal and his market, his personality, and his leverage; a holdout removes him from the lineup, shows as a chip on his row, and opens a grievance panel with resolution paths — pay him, trade him, or wait him out at a morale price. CPU teams manage their own holdouts, and the press asks about yours.

B4

New System

The GM’s Career Arc

Your own contract now rises with your record, and the market renews CPU general managers at market rate too. Age matters: past 110 career-age points the owner opens succession talk, and at 120 retirement is forced, closing with a full career retrospective and a retired save state. The clout ladder is harsher at the bottom — a losing record reads like one.

B5

New System

Injuries, Live and Deeper

Injuries now happen on real plays inside the simulation — the broadcast shows the man go down, a banner names him, and his backup takes over mid-game — layered on the weekly roll. The injury catalog grew by more than twenty types across body regions, and each head physio’s specialty region genuinely prevents some injuries there and shortens the ones that land. League-wide frequency is tuned so a typical roster carries about two active injuries, matching a real training room. Injuries heal through the playoffs and fully over the offseason.

B6

New System

The Pro Bowl and the Awards Sheet

The Pro Bowl replaces All-Pro as the user-facing all-star honor: one roster per conference at traditional position counts, selected on season fantasy points, shown as NFC and AFC tabs on the Season Awards sheet and recorded on each player’s card. The awards list itself now carries a designed icon set — crown for MVP, shield for Defensive Player, sprout for the rookies, headset for Coach of the Year.

B7

New System

The Hall of Fame Plaque

Induction is now a full-screen ceremony between free agency and the draft. The leading vote-getter receives a gold plaque: his portrait cast in bronze, his career told in one engraved sentence — draft slot, seasons, championships, signature statistics, teams — with honor chips (always Champion, never Ring) and his team history as tags, your franchises filled in red. Additional inductees list below; tap any man for his full career card. A year with no inductees skips the ceremony.

B8

New System

NFL Statistical Calibration

The game engine was rebuilt against eleven seasons of real NFL data and verified by replaying a thousand simulated games against the benchmarks: roughly 23 points and 63 plays per team per game, 232 passing yards, 2.4 sacks, a 4.30 yards-per-carry league average, real red-zone compression, strip-sacks, defensive timeout usage, and punt-return rates. A second tuning pass brought the leaderboard tails to real ceilings: expect passing leaders near 5,200–5,500 yards and about 50 touchdowns, one or two 1,800-yard rushers in a big year, and sack leaders in the high teens with credit spread across the front.

B9

New System

A League That Spreads Apart

Each ownership era carries a hidden organizational quality tier that compounds every offseason: well-run franchises bank development on their young men while badly run ones bleed it from their veterans, and frugal owners barely shop free agency while aggressive ones keep buying. Over seasons the league spreads from the mid-60s to the high 90s instead of bunching in the 80s. Alongside it: early retirements are now rare (never before 26, uncommon through 31), a coach’s identity — portrait, rings, history — survives every role change in either direction, and an owner’s patience honors your legacy: recent rings and deep runs set floors one bad season cannot breach.

B10

New System

Share Cards

Three brag cards — Season Report, Champions, and Draft Steal — render from your real save at full social resolution in both Story (9:16) and Feed (4:5) formats, each with your crest, your numbers, and a pre-written challenge message ending in the download link. The champion can share straight from the parade. Shared images use World Champions and Conference Final wording.

B11

New System

Difficulty, Defined

Difficulty now does exactly one thing, and only to your own roster: Easy develops your players 20% faster, Hard 15% slower. Normal is neutral, and CPU rosters develop at the neutral rate on every setting — the league around you never gets artificially better or worse.

B12

New System

Updates & Clarifications

Where earlier chapters state the following, this section is current: single-season passing records should be read against a ~5,500-yard ceiling, which is where great seasons top out. ‘All-Pro’ as a user-facing honor is replaced by the Pro Bowl (All-Pro survives internally in historical records). The injury rate text in the Injury System Reference understates current frequency — about two active injuries per roster is the norm. A finished game’s scoreboard reads FINAL, with the OT tag only when overtime was played. All large numbers group thousands with commas regardless of device region. The Hall of Fame chapter’s near-black ceremony screen is replaced by the plaque described in B7.