Which Madden NFL game was the first to include the Run-Pass Option (RPO) plays?

Madden NFL 19 was the first Madden game to include Run-Pass Option, or RPO, plays.

RPO plays give the quarterback a post-snap choice between handing the ball to a runner and throwing a quick pass, usually based on how a designated defender reacts. They became increasingly prominent in real football during the 2010s as college concepts spread into NFL offenses, making their arrival in Madden NFL 19 a notable gameplay change.

The feature helped Madden represent a modern offensive trend more realistically. Instead of committing entirely to a run or pass before the snap, players could read the defense and make a rapid decision. Depending on the specific RPO design, the quarterback might hand off automatically unless the player chose the pass option.

Players sometimes confuse RPOs with older read-option plays. A read option generally lets the quarterback keep the ball or give it to the running back, while an RPO adds a passing decision. Later Madden editions expanded the play type, but Madden NFL 19 introduced the feature to the series.