All you have to do is delete and reinstall the game. Keep in mind this only works if you have the disc version. If your on digital sorry but your out of luck. When you reinstall the game make sure you go and stop the patch from downloading. You can also save rosters so if you want to save a roster before deleting and reinstalling you can. If you play other multiplayer games like most and need to keep your system connected to the Internet just make sure you go and stop the patch from downloading when you get the notification that theirs a new patch and it's going to download it. If you do that your good and can play the ootb version freely.
It's definately true and a pretty big difference in gameplay. Keep in mind that if you do this their will be no formation subs as your using the out of the box version of the game and formation subs came in a day 1 patch. Yes, technically patches/updates are supposed to improve a game and make it better and most games patches and updates do but EA has done the opposite with Madden this year and seems not to realize/care. They have managed to make gameplay worse through updates.
If your on PS4 and worried about rest mode I'm pretty sure theirs a setting somewhere where you can set it too not automatically download updates/not stay connected to the Internet while in rest mode.
Here are when prompts for download while your connected to Internet will happen:
1. When you fire up Madden for the first time. Back out and go in and pause it. When you launch Madden this happens everytime unless you disconnect it for a bit before you launch madden. Just backing out and pausing it is the easier way.
2. When you turn on the PS4 while connected you will be prompted to download it. Just go and pause it
Just be aware of it prompting automatically while playing online. But pausing it will keep it quiet until you restart the system or game.. If you don't like the out of the box version you can let the patch download and install and go right back to the current version of the game again. Deleting the physical game will not mess with your saved data. Your profile will even be their also.