NFLPA Report Cards Discontinued After League Grievance Victory
For years, NFL Players Association (NFLPA) report cards have been a prominent part of the NFL offseason, providing players’ assessments of team facilities and organizational practices. These annual evaluations, assigning letter grades to franchises on various criteria, have now been halted following a successful grievance filed by the NFL. Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported on the league’s memo announcing the outcome on Friday, detailing an arbitrator’s ruling that the reports were in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The NFL’s argument, as outlined in the memo, centered on the assertion that the report cards weren’t objective assessments. Evidence presented indicated the NFLPA significantly influenced the content, selecting specific questions and responses to support pre-determined narratives. According to the league, “The record established that the Report Cards were designed by the union to advance its interest under the guise of a scientific exercise.” This led the arbitrator to side with the NFL, effectively ending the public release of these player-generated grades.
Future of Player Feedback & NFLPA Response
Despite the ruling, the NFL Management Council intends to collaborate with the NFLPA to develop a revised survey mechanism for gathering player feedback in future seasons. This suggests the league recognizes the value of player input, even while disputing the methodology of the previous system. The aim is to establish a new process that adheres to the stipulations of the CBA and ensures a more impartial evaluation of team environments.
The NFLPA, however, offered a contrasting interpretation of the arbitrator’s decision. While acknowledging the end of publicly available grades, the union maintains the arbitrator found the report cards to be fundamentally fair and balanced in their assessment. The NFLPA also confirmed the program itself will continue in some capacity, despite the changes mandated by the ruling.
Team Evaluations & Notable Grades
The grievance was initially filed after concerns were raised by several team owners, including Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, as reported by ESPN in November. The 2025 NFLPA report cards revealed particularly critical evaluations for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the franchise receiving “D” grades in areas of ownership and locker room conditions.
Further assessments gave the Steelers “C-” grades for their treatment of players’ families and the quality of their strength and conditioning staff. A notable exception to the largely negative feedback was an “A” grade awarded to then-head coach Mike Tomlin, highlighting player satisfaction with his leadership. The future of such detailed, publicly available team evaluations remains uncertain as the NFL and NFLPA navigate a new path forward for player feedback.
