I bought a PS3 specifically for this game back in 2009 and have bought it every since, but I too might not be getting it this year for the same reason you mentioned.
As someone who doesn't play online, I feel like Franchise Mode has been grossly neglected as of recent years. It's gotten to the point where I don't even have the ability to sign FA and can never find an actual fix for it.
It's time to "make the show great again!"