For the first time ever, the NFL Players Association unveiled a comprehensive survey on how teams treated their players off the field.
Over 1,300 players rated all 32 teams according to six metrics -- treatment of families, nutrition, weight room, strength staff, training room, training staff, and travel -- with grades ranging from A-plus to F-minus.
The good news for teams, at least from my view, is that the typical NFL player really likes the people building and treating his body. Twenty-seven teams got an A or A+ for their strength staff, and two more earned a B+. (The Baltimore Ravens, um, got an F-). Twenty-one teams got As for their training staff, and six more got a B+. (The Ravens were in this group.)
Everywhere else, though, players didn't hold back. Only four teams got As for their treatment of families (the Cowboys were the only A+), seven earned As for nutrition, a third of the league earned a C+ or worse for their weight room and half the league was a C+ or worse for their training room. Roughly a third of the league was given an A- or better, or a C+ or worse, for the way it travels.
It is, of course, no coincidence that the report dropped two weeks before free agency opens.
Said NFLPA president JC Tretter:
One of our core jobs as a union is to improve the overall working conditions for our players. Often, you see our advocacy on “big” issues -- like our push for better field surfaces at stadiums or standardized safety protocols that limit the risk of workplace injuries -- but it also includes the daily experience of players at the team facilities away from the lights and cameras.
For many years, players have brought up the idea of creating a “Free Agency Guide,” which would contain information that can help illuminate what that daily experience is like for players and their families from team to team. If knowledge is really power, then providing players with information about each club would not only help them make important career decisions, but it would also help raise the standards across each club.
The report also compiled each team's grades for an overall report card.
The Minnesota Vikings ranked first. Its worst grade was an A- in food service/nutrition, and an A+ in four separate categories.
The Washington Commanders ranked last. Players rated the club's strength coaches an A+, and a D or worse in six categories. In other news, the report dropped one day after an ESPN report about Dan Snyder's allegedly committing bank fraud with team finances, as well as a report about former US Attorney Mary Jo White's investigation into the team nearing its end. On the field, Washington finished last in the NFC East for the 10th time in 24 seasons of Snyder's ownership.
Anyway, the report is available for viewing by every NFL free agent as well as the general public.