The NFLPA released the findings of its annual player survey on Wednesday, making public the good, bad, and sometimes stinky realities that go into the logistics of running an NFL team.
Players were polled on everything from their locker rooms, dietitians and travel accommodations, and franchises received grades akin to those you might see on a middle schoolers report card.
Some franchises stood out for their high marks—the Miami Dolphins got straight A’s across the board, and were the highest-ranked team in the league in six out of 11 individual categories that were examined.
On the other side of scale, several teams received low marks that should serve as an immediate signal to owners that changes need to be made. Overall, 10 grades of F-minus were awarded across six different teams, with the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders leading the way with three F-minuses each.
Below is a team-by-team breakdown of where things went wrong.
Washington Commanders
Received F-minus grades for Training Room, Locker Room and Treatment of Families.
The Commanders came in 32nd out of 32 teams in the overall rankings published by the NFLPA. Hey, somebody has to be last.
Washington players cited understaffing and general facilities both as low points within the franchise. The team’s locker room is too small, and there are issues with cleanliness, with the report citing “multiple sewage leaks this season.”
“When asked what the number one issue respondents want to prioritize for fixing, most players couldn’t come up with just one,” the report read. “Instead, the common answer was the entire facility.”
Commanders players also requested that daycare and family rooms be made available on game days.
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While Washington’s scores undoubtedly need improving, there is hope among the roster that change is coming, as the franchise recently changed ownership to a group led by Josh Harris.
“The players understand that the new club ownership didn’t create these current problems, and they are hopeful that the new team ownership is willing to do what it takes to fix them,” according to the report.
Cincinnati Bengals
Received F-minus grades for Nutritionist/Dietitian, Food/Cafeteria and Treatment of Families.
Cincinnati was ranked 26th out of 32 NFL teams overall. While the Bengals received average to above-average marks in many categories polled by the NFLPA, they finished dead last in the league in three—two relating to food, and one to the the care that the team offers to players’ families.
Two major sticking points regarding food simply came down to availability. According to the report, the Bengals are one of just two teams in the NFL that do not offer players three meals a day throughout the week. Cincinnati also does not keep its cafeteria open during off days, despite the fact that many players still come into the facilities for extra work.
Regarding family care, players called on the Bengals to begin offering amenities like a family room and daycare on game days. They also stressed the need for a more clear point of contact for family members who have questions that need to be addressed.
Cincinnati players weren’t alone in calls for more care for their families, as it was the category in which teams across the league were most likely to be graded with an F-minus.
While the team’s locker room escaped an F grade, there were plenty of problems there too, specifically when it came to plumbing.
“Approximately 50% of the showers don’t work; they either don’t provide warm water or there isn’t enough water pressure,” the Bengals’ team report read. “They face consistent plumbing issues that limit the amount of functioning toilets the players can use.”
Pittsburgh Steelers
Received F-minus grade for Treatment of Families.
Pittsburgh was ranked 28th out of 32 teams in the league in the NFLPA’s overall results, though their only F-minus came in one category.
The Steelers raised the same issues that the Bengals and Commanders did when it came to the treatment of families, expressing a desire for daycare support and a family room during games.
Players also gave low marks to the team’s weight room, with the report noting that the Steelers were one of seven teams that players said “their weight room is no better than where they could train offsite.”
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While there is clearly room for improvement, the Steelers are doing well in one category—coach Mike Tomlin received an A from his players, the fifth-highest mark in the NFL.
New England Patriots
Received F-minus grade for Treatment of Families.
New England placed 29th out of 32 teams overall in the NFLPA survey. Like the three teams that came before them with an F-minus grade regarding family care, the Patriots are looking to the team to provide daycare and a family room on game days. It’s worth noting that the requests for a family room are coming from four different teams that play in cold weather pretty regularly.
The Patriots also received a flat F grade for their weight room, ranking dead last in the league in the category.
“The Patriots are the only team in the NFL with a majority of players feeling that their team’s facility is worse than places they could train offsite,” the report read. “In the training room, respondents feel the treatment options are not cutting edge and they lack both equipment and staffing that are offered elsewhere as standard.”
Atlanta Falcons
Received F-minus grade for Strength Coaches.
The Falcons came in 25th out of 32 in the NFL in terms of overall grade.
Standing out above all other issues was the team’s strength coaching, which placed last in the league. Per the report, the Falcons strength program was “the only instance of a department across the league where players felt it detracted from their success.”
“Only 24% of players feel like they get the best individualized plan (32nd overall—the next lowest is 65%),” per the report.
It might not come as a surprise that head strength and conditioning coach Thomas Stallworth was not kept with the team this offseason when Raheem Morris took over the head coaching job.
John Griffin, who is taking over the role in Atlanta after serving as the associate director of strength and conditioning for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, will have his work cut out for him. The Rams players awarded their strength coaches an A-minus for the 2023 season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Received F-minus grade for Owner.
Possibly the most surprising grade on the report comes from the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
The Chiefs ranked 31st out of 32 teams across the NFL in overall marks, with their sole F-minus grade reserved for owner Clark Hunt.
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“it is clear that there has not been a significant reinvestment back into the facilities even after consistent success,” the report read. “That has led to a high level of frustration among player respondents and reflects in club owner Clark Hunt’s ranking as the least willing to invest in team facilities among all NFL owners/ownership group in the opinions of the respondents.”
Chiefs players raised issues with the locker room, nutrition program, and facilities. All the issues come down to investment, and it seems that veteran players that have brought title after title to Kansas City are ready to see that success reflected in a greater investment in the team.
One thing the Chiefs have going for them is coach Andy Reid, who ranked 1st in the NFL and received an A-plus grade. Luckily, it appears that Reid doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon.
