According to Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic, sports agency, Athletes First has put the NFL on notice that their clients will not be participating in any cognitive or psychological testing as part of the pre-draft process. The 2024 NFL draft is scheduled for Apr 25, 2024 – Sat, Apr 27.
Below is the email Kahler received from Athletes First that they sent to all 32 NFL teams. The NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled for Mon, Feb 26 – Mon, Mar 4. The combine is where much of this testing takes place.
“After much internal discussion, the agents at Athletes First have directed our draft prospects to respectfully pass on participating in any cognitive or psychological testing during the pre-draft process (e.g. AIQ, S2, etc.),” the email read.
“We understand that many of your teams use these tests or protocols as part of your prospect evaluation process, however our recent experience with these exams has been less than positive,” the email continued. Specifically, the fact that certain results and performance were leaked publicly last year demonstrates that there truly is no confidentiality with these tests. It is not right for a player’s intelligence, aptitude or mental processing to be subject to public discussion and ridicule — no other job interview carries the same scrutiny. While our clients are happy to participate in the standard pre-draft physical activities and any football-based interviews or film review, we will not subject them to the wide variety of psychological tests.”
“Specifically, the fact that certain results and performance were leaked publicly last year demonstrates that there truly is no confidentiality with these tests. It is not right for a player’s intelligence, aptitude or mental processing to be subject to public discussion and ridicule — no other job interview carries the same scrutiny. “While our clients are happy to participate in the standard pre-draft physical activities and any football-based interviews or film review, we will not subject them to the wide variety of psychological tests.”
This could create a cascade of other agencies to direct their clients to pass on the testing as well. Teams utilize these results as part of the player evaluation process and this could direct franchises away from some players in favor of those where they are able to make a more informed evaluation of their potential in its totality.
