Any franchise mode that can't stand up to 10 seasons of simming with default roster without significant flaws emerging is in need of significant work (and this game doesn't). Doesn't matter if you insist it isn't a "text sim." A player should be able to play 162 games in one season or 10 games in 16 seasons with the rosters feeling realistic either way. The long-term playability of franchise mode is why it's been a sports game mainstay for two decades and counting and why season mode is disappearing.
The budget system has serious flaws the farther you advance into a franchise, as well.
I love the game as is, but franchise mode has plenty of significant flaws.