RIP John Madden

They are, but EA has the exclusive rights to a "simulation" football game (it's clearly not as we know). So 2K's game will likely be something more arcade like along the lines of NFL Blitz or something.

Which was like the bomb back in the day, i love those games.

EA Big was pretty cool back in time too.

Played the heck out of Blitz back in the day, so much fun

I guess the NFL didn't like the over the top hits and tackles though so that's what got it shut down