The NFL’s Annual Player Report Cards: A Glimpse into Team Dynamics
Remember the butterflies you felt waiting for your school report cards? The anticipation, the anxiety, and the mix of hope and dread as you waited to see whether your hard work paid off or if you needed to double down in the coming semester? Well, professional football players experience a similar kind of evaluative scrutiny, but in a much different context. Every year from August to November, the NFL conducts surveys where players grade their teams across 12 critical categories. These categories range from the treatment of their families to the quality of the locker room and everything in between. The results, which were revealed on Wednesday morning, offer a fascinating insight into the inner workings of each franchise and how players feel about their workplace.
Dolphins and Vikings Maintain Their Top Spots
The best of the best continues to be the Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings. Consistently rated at the top of the league, these two teams have once again secured their positions with stellar grades across the board. The Dolphins, in particular, are the epitome of excellence, earning straight A+ grades in every category, from the treatment of families to the quality of the locker room and training staff. The Vikings are not far behind, with mostly A grades, indicating a well-rounded and highly supportive environment for their players. This consistency at the top speaks to the strong organizational cultures and player-centric approaches these teams have adopted, which are paying dividends on and off the field.
Falcons Show Significant Improvement
One of the most remarkable stories this year is the Atlanta Falcons. The team has shown significant improvement, moving up the ranks and earning a lot more B grades than in previous years. This upward trajectory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the organization. The biggest change comes from the Washington Commanders, who have undergone a cultural shift under the leadership of new team owner Josh Harris. The Commanders’ players have rated the ownership with an A, a stark contrast to the issues that plagued the franchise in the past, such as the infamous failed reveal of a Sean Taylor statue. This positive change suggests that the new management is making the right moves to foster a better working environment, which is crucial for team success.
Struggles at the Bottom: The Cardinals and Bills
While it’s always exciting to celebrate the top teams, it’s equally important to understand the struggles at the bottom. The Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills both have areas that need significant improvement. The Cardinals’ players are desperate for a new locker room, which has been rated an F-. Imagine the frustration and discomfort of professional athletes who spend countless hours preparing in a space that is inadequate for their needs. Meanwhile, the Bills’ players are calling for a revamp of their travel process, which has received an F- grade. The travel experience is crucial, as it can affect a player’s rest and overall performance. These grades highlight the importance of even the smallest details in player satisfaction and team performance.
Ownership and Coaching Dynamics: Steelers and Jets
The dynamics between players, coaches, and owners are often the unsung factors that can make or break a team. The Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise with a storied history, have a head coach, Mike Tomlin, who is widely respected and beloved by his players, earning an A grade. However, the owner, Art Rooney II, received a D, the fourth-worst rating in the league. This discrepancy suggests that while the players appreciate Tomlin’s leadership, they are frustrated by the lack of significant improvements and strategic moves from the ownership. Similarly, the New York Jets’ owner, Woody Johnson, has been voted the worst in the league, and the team’s head coach, while not the lowest-graded, is still seen as performing below expectations. This highlights the delicate balance between coaching and ownership, and how both need to work in harmony for a team to succeed.
Full Results: A Comprehensive Look
Here are the full results from this year’s survey, providing a comprehensive look at how players across the NFL feel about their teams:
- Arizona Cardinals: D+ (Treatment of Families), D- (Food/Dining Area), F- (Nutritionist/Dietician), D- (Locker Room), C- (Training Room), F (Training Staff), C+ (Weight Room), B- (Strength Coaches), A- (Team Travel), D- (Head Coach), F (Ownership)
- Atlanta Falcons: A (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), A (Locker Room), B+ (Training Room), A (Training Staff), B+ (Weight Room), A (Strength Coaches), B+ (Team Travel), A (Head Coach), B+ (Ownership)
- Baltimore Ravens: C+ (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), B- (Locker Room), B- (Training Room), B- (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), B+ (Strength Coaches), A (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), A- (Ownership)
- Buffalo Bills: B (Treatment of Families), B+ (Food/Dining Area), B- (Nutritionist/Dietician), B- (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B (Training Staff), A (Weight Room), C+ (Strength Coaches), B+ (Team Travel), F (Head Coach), B (Ownership)
- Carolina Panthers: B+ (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), C- (Nutritionist/Dietician), B (Locker Room), B- (Training Room), C+ (Training Staff), D (Weight Room), A (Strength Coaches), D (Team Travel), A- (Head Coach), B+ (Ownership)
- Chicago Bears: C+ (Treatment of Families), C+ (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), A- (Locker Room), F (Training Room), B (Training Staff), B+ (Weight Room), A (Strength Coaches), B- (Team Travel), B (Head Coach), B (Ownership)
- Cincinnati Bengals: F (Treatment of Families), F (Food/Dining Area), C (Nutritionist/Dietician), A+ (Locker Room), B (Training Room), A- (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches), B+ (Team Travel), A- (Head Coach), D (Ownership)
- Cleveland Browns: D (Treatment of Families), C+ (Food/Dining Area), B- (Nutritionist/Dietician), F (Locker Room), D (Training Room), C (Training Staff), A (Weight Room), B+ (Strength Coaches), D (Team Travel), C (Head Coach), D (Ownership)
- Dallas Cowboys: A (Treatment of Families), B+ (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), A (Locker Room), C (Training Room), C (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches), B (Head Coach), D (Ownership)
- Denver Broncos: C (Treatment of Families), B+ (Food/Dining Area), A- (Nutritionist/Dietician), F (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B+ (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), B- (Strength Coaches), A (Team Travel), B (Head Coach), A- (Ownership)
- Detroit Lions: B (Treatment of Families), B- (Food/Dining Area), B- (Nutritionist/Dietician), C+ (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B (Training Staff), A+ (Weight Room), B (Strength Coaches), A- (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), A (Ownership)
- Green Bay Packers: B (Treatment of Families), A- (Food/Dining Area), A- (Nutritionist/Dietician), B (Locker Room), A- (Training Room), A (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches)
- Houston Texans: B (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), A (Nutritionist/Dietician), B+ (Locker Room), B+ (Training Room), B+ (Weight Room), B+ (Strength Coaches), B+ (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), A (Ownership)
- Indianapolis Colts: B (Treatment of Families), C (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), B (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches), D+ (Team Travel), A (Head Coach), B (Ownership)
- Jacksonville Jaguars: F (Treatment of Families), C+ (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), B (Locker Room), B- (Training Room), A- (Training Staff), B+ (Weight Room), B- (Strength Coaches), A (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), C- (Ownership)
- Kansas City Chiefs: B- (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), A- (Nutritionist/Dietician), D (Locker Room), C- (Training Room), C (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), B+ (Strength Coaches), A (Head Coach), C- (Ownership)
- Las Vegas Raiders: B+ (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), A (Nutritionist/Dietician), A- (Locker Room), A- (Training Room), A+ (Weight Room), B (Strength Coaches), A (Team Travel), A- (Head Coach), A- (Ownership)
- Los Angeles Chargers: C (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), A (Locker Room), A- (Training Room), A- (Training Staff), A (Weight Room), C+ (Strength Coaches), B+ (Team Travel), A (Head Coach), B (Ownership)
- Los Angeles Rams: D (Treatment of Families), C (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), C+ (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches), B (Team Travel), A- (Head Coach), B- (Ownership)
- Miami Dolphins: A+ (Treatment of Families), A+ (Food/Dining Area), A+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), A+ (Locker Room), A (Training Room), A+ (Training Staff), A+ (Weight Room), A+ (Strength Coaches), A+ (Team Travel), A+ (Head Coach), A+ (Ownership)
- Minnesota Vikings: A+ (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), B- (Nutritionist/Dietician), A (Locker Room), A (Training Room), A- (Training Staff), A (Weight Room), A (Strength Coaches), A+ (Team Travel), A+ (Head Coach), A (Ownership)
- New England Patriots: C+ (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), C- (Nutritionist/Dietician), C- (Locker Room), F (Training Room), B (Training Staff), F (Weight Room), B (Strength Coaches), D (Team Travel), A- (Head Coach), B+ (Ownership)
- New Orleans Saints: C (Treatment of Families), D- (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), A (Locker Room), B- (Training Room), B (Training Staff), A- (Weight Room), A- (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), A (Ownership)
- New York Giants: C (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), C+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), C (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B- (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches), B+ (Head Coach), C+ (Ownership)
- New York Jets: C- (Treatment of Families), C- (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), D+ (Locker Room), C (Training Room), C (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches), B (Team Travel), C+ (Head Coach), F (Ownership)
- Philadelphia Eagles: C (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), B- (Nutritionist/Dietician), D (Locker Room), B+ (Training Room), B (Training Staff), B (Weight Room), F (Head Coach), B (Ownership)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: C (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), C+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), D (Locker Room), C+ (Training Room), B (Training Staff), C+ (Weight Room), B+ (Strength Coaches), A- (Team Travel), D (Ownership)
- San Francisco 49ers: B+ (Treatment of Families), A (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), B- (Locker Room), B (Training Room), A- (Weight Room), A- (Strength Coaches)
- Seattle Seahawks: A (Treatment of Families), B (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), B+ (Locker Room), C (Training Room), B- (Weight Room), A (Strength Coaches), A- (Team Travel), C+ (Head Coach)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C (Treatment of Families), C (Food/Dining Area), B+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), C+ (Locker Room), B (Training Room), B (Training Staff), A (Weight Room), C (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), D+ (Ownership)
- Tennessee Titans: B (Treatment of Families), B+ (Food/Dining Area), B (Nutritionist/Dietician), C (Locker Room), B- (Training Room), B (Training Staff), B+ (Weight Room), B (Strength Coaches), A (Team Travel), B+ (Head Coach), A- (Ownership)
- Washington Commanders: B (Treatment of Families), B+ (Food/Dining Area), C+ (Nutritionist/Dietician), F (Locker Room), C+ (Training Room), B (Training Staff), B- (Weight Room), A+ (Team Travel), A (Head Coach), A (Ownership)
These grades offer a detailed and nuanced picture of each team’s strengths and weaknesses, reflecting the sentiments and experiences of the players who are at the heart of the NFL. Whether it’s the luxurious facilities of the top teams or the pressing needs for improvement at the bottom, these report cards serve as a critical tool for building better teams and ensuring player satisfaction.
