When following the NFL, we can only center our energy on what’s out in the open. We can talk about free agency and star players on the move. We can break down the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (Even though it can be such a chore.) We can look ahead to the draft, and get excited over top prospects. And, of course, we can watch the games every Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and (sometimes) Saturday.
But our exposure to what happens behind the scenes for all 32 teams is limited. Unless someone lets us behind the curtain, we don’t know what happens across the league when executives, players, and coaches aren’t in plain sight or on social media.
A new NFL Player’s Association survey (or “Report Cards) aims to fix that. In a look at the quality of the conditions (or lack thereof) all 32 franchises provide their players (including aspects like family treatment, locker rooms, and nutrition), the NFLPA questioned 1,300 players. The idea was for players to collaborate and ideally improve standards across the league.
Data from the report cards were collected from Mar. 1, 2022, to Apr. 1, 2022. It references a lot of happenings from the 2021 NFL season and the early portions of the 2022 offseason. For context, there are 1,696 players (53 per team) active every week during the season. So, this is decidedly not a small sample size. (It is not clear how many still active players were part of these report cards.)
For our purposes: Which teams have owners who seem to care little about what their players operate with? Which could do a little better (to say the least) in the kitchen? And which are complete messes across the board?
Let’s break down some of the more shocking revelations from the NFLPA’s report cards for all 32 organizations. (Note: This list is in no particular order.)
1
The Arizona Cardinals literally penny pinch when it comes to feeding their players
At the highest level of a professional sport, you’d think a team would want its players to have practically unlimited access to high-quality nutrition. After all, what they put into their body is a huge part of their on-field performance.
This message is evidently lost on the Cardinals’ leadership — which unthinkably deducts from players’ paychecks for getting food from the team facility. It’s no wonder Arizona was No. 31 overall in the survey:
Nutrition should be foundational, but apparently, it’s not for this unserious franchise.
2
The Chicago Bears' disregard for players' families
In addition to their responsibilities on the field, many NFL players have a family to take care of at home. And while there, unfortunately, isn’t a high standard of family care for many workplaces in the United States, the 13th-ranked Bears doing the “bare minimum” to check off a box is a bit disgraceful.
I mean, really? They definitely have the resources to do more!
3
The Buffalo Bills don't have a dedicated nutrionist
Unsurprisingly, the Bills were one of the higher-ranked teams in the survey at No. 9 overall. Their players seem to love most aspects of the organization.
That is, except for the part where they don’t have a nutritionist that only caters to their players:
The Bills don’t have the money to have a person that just plans their players’ nutrition? That’s… hard to believe. How is that possible in 2023?
4
The Carolina Panthers let their players slip and slide around a pool
One of the better places where an NFL team can invest in its players is in recovery. Post-game and post-practice methods might be just as important as any preparation. In one facet here, the Panthers (No. 12 overall) have a regenerative pool room with a poor floor where players regularly slip and fall:
You’d think a franchise wouldn’t want its players risking their health when they’re trying to relax. You’d think.
5
The Cincinnati Bengals don't provide dinner, and they don't have a safe space for families
Thanks to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Co., the Bengals have turned into of the NFL’s premier teams. But it doesn’t seem like the No. 27 organization is anywhere close to premier in player treatment.
Among other things, Cincinnati doesn’t give its players dinner or supplements, has poor plumbing, and, shockingly: it doesn’t provide a dedicated family room during games. Great job, owner Mike Brown.
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln…
6
The Cleveland Browns have an issue with personal space
Letting players breathe in and around your headquarters should probably be a paramount mission for an NFL team. Based on a tiny weight room and locker room, the No. 21 Browns embarrassingly don’t seem to put a premium on such an issue:
7
The Denver Broncos throw caution to the wind with nutrition
The mega-wealthy Walton family bought the Broncos last summer, increasing player faith that investments and upgrades would soon be made in player facilities.
But, for now, the survey says that No. 20 Denver operates so casually, it somehow doesn’t seem to have customized nutrition plans for its roster.
Uh, a team with so many different position groups and skills should probably have tailor-made diets.
8
The Green Bay Packers outsource their physical therapists
Another team that was unsurprisingly near the top of the ranks, the No. 6 Packers seemed to have few major faults, according to their players.
Well, except for that whole outsourcing their physical therapists elephant-in-the-room:
I should never have to read that a team as popular and successful as the Packers is “understaffed.” But here we are.
9
The Indianapolis Colts break out their lunch boxes and paper bags
A franchise smack-dab in the middle at No. 16, most of the Colts players appeared to believe Jim Irsay is willing to put himself out there for improvements. I’m a little skeptical of such an assertion after reading that some players forgo eating the team’s substandard food and pack lunches instead:
Come on now. The food can’t be that bad? Can it?
10
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a rat problem. No, really
A lot of what happened to and with the No. 28 Jaguars during the 2021 season was beyond the pale, but letting a pest infestation fester could be a new low. (Insert Urban Meyer joke here.)
For almost a month, the Jaguars had rats hanging out in their locker room and laundry. Gross. Could… no one hire a thorough exterminator?
11
The Kansas City Chiefs are... subpar?
They may have just captured their second Super Bowl title in the last four years, but the Chiefs seem to have a slight disregard for their players.
Oh, sorry. Did I say slight? The reigning champs were No. 29 overall in the survey. Oh, and they make “certain” (what does that even mean?) players have roommates.
Yes, even the “high-class” Chiefs could and should improve their conditions.
12
Josh McDaniels wastes the Las Vegas Raiders' time
Overall, the No. 3 Raiders appear exemplary in player treatment. Owner Mark Davis might be a walking meme, but it looks like he actually pulls out all the stops for the Raiders.
To the (probable) shock of no one, the main complaint concerned Josh McDaniels. Not only does McDaniels not listen to his players, he’s excessive with meeting and practice time.
So, McDaniels thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room and operates inefficiently. What a combo!
All that mess for an eventual 6-11 record. Huh.
13
The Los Angeles Chargers have filthy tubs
At No. 30, the Chargers were one of the worst teams when it came to player treatment in this survey — meaning, in a way, they have nowhere to go but up.
Like, say, the lack of hygiene for their tubs. You know, you’d generally prefer those to be clean.
14
Robert Kraft is less inclined to invest in the New England Patriots
The Patriots, with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, were the NFL’s on-field gold standard for nearly two decades. But such success might have overshadowed what owner Robert Kraft does or doesn’t do for his players.
Just 64 percent of Patriots players think Kraft is willing to update outdated facilities, and this was by far one of the lowest percentages.
No wonder New England is No. 24 overall:
15
Art Rooney's difference to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Another organization that would classify itself as one of the NFL’s pillars, the No. 22 Steelers appear to be almost anything but when it comes to player conditions. Pittsburgh’s one of the few squads that doesn’t offer daycare or space for players’ families during games, and players think owner Art Rooney II won’t fix some of these issues.
Woof.
16
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' sheer mess
Where do you even begin with the No. 26 Buccaneers?
- No childcare or family space
- A small outdated locker room
- Players still have roommates, particularly when traveling
Is this why Tom Brady finally retired or… ?
17
Surprise, surprise: Dan Snyder's Washington Commanders have the NFL's worst player conditions
Okay, this one doesn’t really come as a shock.
After everything that owner Dan Snyder tries to pull over (and under) the table, would it be surprising to learn the Commanders are No. 32? Nope!
The only place Washington ranked positively was with its strength and conditioning coaches. Otherwise, the Commanders’ facility is abysmal, their training room is understaffed, players have little personal space anywhere (deep breath), there’s not enough warm water, the plumbing is terrible (another deep breath), and players must have roommates.
Oh, and they have extremely minimal faith in the weasely Snyder ever remedying these problems. Again, I’m unsure why anyone would be stunned by this revelation. Just look at the size of this “negatives” screenshot:
For some reason, I’m sure Snyder is so proud to read this scathing assessment.
