CNN
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It’s that time when fans learn some difficult truths about living life for their favorite NFL franchise.
On Wednesday, we saw the annual release of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) report card. This allows you to see players from league-rate teams across multiple categories and see how they feel about doing their thing.
This is the main point.
Report cards released by the NFLPA are now an annual tradition, with 2025 being the third edition of the initiative.
Almost 1,700 players across the NFLPA will provide feedback on 32 teams in the league, spanning 11 categories, and Union Ranked teams according to these stages.
The categories are as follows:
Family Treatment Foods/Dining Area Nutritionist/Nutritionist Locker Room Training Room Training Staff Weight Room Strength Coach Team Travel Head Coach Ownership
According to the NFLPA Chief Strategy Officer and former NFL offensive lineman JC Tretter, the union is conducting exercises “to not only make important career decisions but also help raise standards across the league.”
Last year’s top-ranked teams held their place above the NFL tier as the Miami Dolphins reigned at its best again.
The team was first rated in seven of 11 categories, with Stephen Ross once again becoming the highest-level owner.
Dolphins have made progress to upgrade the Gameday locker room at Hard Rock Stadium. The NFLPA writes: “The quality of the facility is consistent with the quality of the people in the building and makes it a very positive player experience.”
One of the biggest risers of the year was Washington commander. Under the new ownership – Josh Harris took over from Dan Snyder in 2023 – the commander had a renaissance on the scene in 2024.
And the improvements included field growth. Washington was the straight-line last in the past two years, but this time it drastically reached 11th place. Research shows that the most significant change was the employment of manager Dan Quinn in the offseason, who was the highest-ranked head coach on all teams. The players said the team is “actively changing culture, showing both the findings and on the field.”
The team also significantly improved its food programme, improving the handling of players’ families and transport of players. The main issue that holds the team down is the facility, with players saying “it’s old and requires extensive renovations.”
There were mobile teams upwards throughout the report card, but this is a different story for other teams, including bottom ranked teams.
The Arizona Cardinals fell to 32nd after a scathing review from the 27th a year ago. The team was rated in the bottom three for seven out of 11 categories, followed by two of them, the locker room and training room.
The teams need “renewed, modernized and expanded team facilities,” and most of the buildings are described as “too small,” according to the players they investigated.
Players also highlighted small things that the organization could improve, such as better food options and pre-game sideline passes for families.
The only shining light was coach Jonathan Ganon, who was given an A to praise his second year coach for “fostering a strong team culture.”
Elsewhere, the New York Jets have dropped dramatically in the rankings after a tumultuous season of the franchise.
In 2024, there was uncertainty on and off the Jets’ field, worsening interference between results and ownership, creating a negative atmosphere. The Jets food program was highlighted as the category that needs the most improvement, but the union references leadership issues, with some describing it as a “top-down issue.” The Jets were the only franchise to receive F for ownership of the investigation.
The New England Patriots ranked 31st in their team trip. Team planes are called “date”, and 39% of players feel they have comfortable space on their flights when traveling to the game. Also, the plane doesn’t have Wi-Fi and there are still ashtrays in the seats.
The Buccaneers in Tampa Bay were ranked 27th, rated for one of the major negatives perceived as being cleanliness in the locker room. 44% of players reported ongoing plumbing issues and “a sustained bad odor still remains a problem.
