NFL Player Survey Reveals Top-Tier Teams and Troubling Trends
The annual NFL Players Association (NFLPA) team report cards, a comprehensive assessment of player satisfaction across various aspects of team operations, have seen some results leak out, despite ongoing legal challenges from the league aimed at preventing their publication. While the full survey remains under wraps, leaked excerpts paint a clear picture of which franchises are excelling and which are falling short in the eyes of the players themselves.
Once again, the Miami Dolphins have claimed the top spot, lauded for their player-centric approach. Following closely behind the Dolphins are the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Commanders, both earning high marks. At the other end of the spectrum, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been ranked dead last in this year’s report cards. These evaluations cover a wide array of critical areas, including the quality of facilities, the standard of cafeterias and locker rooms, the effectiveness of trainers and strength coaches, the overall quality of ownership, the competence of coaching staffs, and even the consideration given to the treatment of players’ families.
This marks the first time the Pittsburgh Steelers have landed at the bottom of the league in these rankings. Their poor overall standing is attributed to finishing near the cellar in several key categories, according to information obtained by ESPN.
One particularly stark excerpt from the survey highlights a significant concern regarding the Steelers’ infrastructure. “Steelers owner Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board,” the leaked text revealed. This suggests a systemic issue with the team’s commitment to providing modern and adequate facilities for its players.
Last year, the storied six-time Super Bowl champions, the Steelers, were ranked 28th overall. The Arizona Cardinals occupied the 32nd position in that same survey. This year, the Cardinals have seen an improvement, moving up to 31st place, and also declined to comment when approached by ESPN.
On the positive side, several owners have garnered significant praise from the players. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, also the founder of Home Depot, has received some of the highest accolades. Similarly, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and the Vikings’ Zygi Wilf have been recognized for their player-friendly approaches.
However, not all owners are supportive of the survey. New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has been one of the most vocal critics. At a league meeting in New York back in March, Johnson expressed his dissent to reporters, stating, “there are a lot of owners that looked at that survey and said this is not fair, it’s not balanced, it’s not every player, it’s not even representative of the players.”
The NFLPA, meanwhile, continues to collect data for the report cards, even as the league has pursued legal avenues to block their publication. An arbitrator recently sided with the NFL’s argument that the report cards are “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals” and therefore violate the collective-bargaining agreement (CBA). This is the fourth year the survey has been conducted, with the NFLPA having published the results at the conclusion of the last three seasons.
Between November 2nd and December 11th, a total of 1,759 players submitted their responses to the survey, according to ESPN. While ESPN has not shared all the details, including those pertaining to the New York Jets, their ranking has fluctuated. The Jets were 19th in 2023 and 21st in 2024. However, their position shifted significantly, placing them 29th in February 2025, with owner Woody Johnson falling to the last place among owners in the report card’s ownership category.
The ongoing dispute over the publication of these report cards highlights a tension between the NFLPA’s desire for transparency and player feedback, and the league’s efforts to control narratives and potentially mitigate negative publicity. Despite the legal hurdles, the players’ voices, as captured in these surveys, continue to provide valuable insights into the operational health and player experience within each NFL franchise. The leaked results serve as a stark reminder that player satisfaction is a crucial metric for any team aspiring to sustained success, both on and off the field.
