The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has shed light on the often overlooked realities faced by players in the league through their annual player report cards. These evaluations, conducted anonymously, provide revealing insights into the working conditions across all 32 NFL teams, highlighting a trend of neglect displayed by many team owners towards their players, who are their most critical assets.
These report cards aim to hold wealthy NFL owners accountable, as they frequently prefer to provide minimal support or subpar amenities rather than invest in substantial improvements for their teams. Unsurprisingly, the responses from these report cards have drawn ire from the league’s owners, particularly those who find themselves portrayed negatively.
According to reports, the NFL has made multiple attempts to suppress these evaluations, with attempts occurring as recently as June of this year. After the NFLPA declined to withhold the reports, citing their importance for transparency and accountability, the league filed a legal grievance in pursuit of a resolution by February 2026. It seems the owners are concerned about the direct, sometimes harsh feedback contained within these reviews, which they believe come off more as insults than constructive criticism.
The frustration emanating from owners hinges on their perception that the NFLPA provides general grades without accompanying details indicating specific areas for improvement. However, the feedback from players often highlights clear issues, such as the need for better training facilities and resources. For instance, if players express dissatisfaction with outdated weight rooms, those critiques should be seen as straightforward appeals for necessary upgrades, rather than embarrassing allegations against owners.
The discourse around the report cards gained traction at a recent ownership meeting, where owners suggested they want modifications to the collection process of these evaluations to ensure they yield “balanced” feedback. Notably, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson expressed his discontent after receiving the lowest score among his peers, which he claimed stemmed from a flawed data collection process. Johnson implies that the survey does not adequately represent the players or their sentiments, though it raises questions about whether owners are genuinely committed to understanding and addressing these grievances.
In this context, some owners’ efforts to discredit the PA’s findings may reflect their reluctance to invest adequately in their players. They seem to miss the point that fostering an environment conducive to player well-being is not just a moral obligation but can also lead to greater success on the field. Investing in player satisfaction and improving facilities could create a more positive atmosphere, ultimately benefiting team performance and financial returns.
Rather than critiquing the process, owners have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback and see it as an avenue for improvement. By demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the working conditions for players—essentially the lifeblood of the franchise—owners could foster a healthier and more productive relationship with them, ultimately supporting their own business objectives in the league.