Hopefully Jim and Thurman Kelly come back in Madden 23! Just if they drop Shockey, Burress, Herschel Walker, Everson Walls, as well as Sam Madison too. Seriously though, it's mad that they simply comprise 80 or so legends every year when they could easily double or triple and have us going mad from a content perspective. It definitely will help distract from Mut 23 coins the shortcomings. Rather, we get our favorites one year when they'll be back and then who knows.
It's all about rights and however the contracts work. I would assume the majority of these legends have been on one year deals and that we do not get them from year to year consistently. Who knows what the actual reasons are, perhaps a player asks too much or EA is lowballing their offer on the rights. But I believe for the most part they do a good job with adding players that are previous. I was really super surprised and enthused over the Theme Diamonds 1 and two with how many cool players we obtained. But you're correct, it would be great to have even more.
You are right, I have no doubt that licensing plays a variable, but LT and Deion Sanders have been in this game EVERY year. Yes they're all-time greats and it would not be Ultimate Team without them, but my purpose is having a player year after year after year is surely possible. Also, if I'm not mistaken NBA 2K has hundreds of historical and legendary players (don't play 2K so this is only what I have heard, please correct me if I'm wrong) so why is not the NFL's only game doing exactly the exact same thing? Maybe their rights have been lumped in together with cheap madden 23 coins the NFLPA or they're on 10 year bargains or something. We don't know.