The NFL has succeeded in its grievance against the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), effectively ending the publication of annual player report cards. A memo circulated to all 32 NFL teams confirmed that the union is no longer allowed to conduct or share these evaluations, which rated organizations and staff based on player feedback. This development took place in early 2025, halting a practice that began in 2023 as part of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) framework.
Details Behind the NFL’s Legal Victory
The NFL issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the arbitrator’s ruling, noting that the decision enforced the terms of the collective bargaining agreement by preventing the NFLPA from publicly criticizing teams and personnel through unsubstantiated “report cards.” The league argued that the methodologies and data behind the surveys had not been disclosed by the union, undermining their credibility as fair assessments.
“We are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator,”
the NFL said.
“Upholding the parties’ collective bargaining agreement and prohibiting the NFLPA from disparaging our clubs and individuals through ‘report cards’ allegedly based on data and methodologies that it has steadfastly refused to disclose.”
Furthermore, the NFL expressed readiness to collaborate with the NFLPA and an independent survey company to develop a scientifically valid and reliable player feedback system as outlined in the CBA.
“We remain committed to working in partnership with the NFLPA and an independent survey company to develop and administer a scientifically valid survey to solicit accurate and reliable player feedback as the parties agreed in the CBA.”
Origins and Purpose of the Player Surveys
Since 2023, the NFLPA has administered anonymous surveys to players, which were intended to promote transparency and accountability among NFL clubs, owners, coaches, and other staff members. These report cards ranked all 32 NFL teams on categories such as treatment of players’ families, quality of food services, locker room conditions, and ownership engagement. Nearly 1,700 players contributed to the 2025 report card survey.
Despite the league’s grievance filed in August 2024 seeking to stop these reports, the NFLPA proceeded with surveying players in November for that season’s evaluations. The tension stems from Article 51, Section 6 of the CBA, which instructs both the union and the league’s management council to
“use reasonable efforts to curtail public comments by Club personnel or players which express criticism of any club.”
Dispute Over Compliance With Medical Care Survey Requirements
The NFL also asserted that the NFLPA’s report card surveys conflicted with obligations under Article 39, Section 5 of the CBA. This section requires the league and union to jointly conduct an anonymous medical care survey at least once every three years and to commission independent analyses of the results. The league alleged that the NFLPA’s unilateral report card process interfered with this mandate.
“Commission independent analyses of the results of such surveys”
is a stipulation emphasized by the NFL to highlight the procedural issues caused by the NFLPA’s report cards outside the agreed framework.
Player and Analyst Reactions to the Ruling
Following the announcement on social media, several current and former NFL players criticized the league’s decision to ban the report cards. Many viewed the surveys as a vital tool for pushing teams to improve facilities and working conditions.
Saints defensive end Cam Jordan commented on X,
“The NFL is upset that teams have been graded, judged, and coerced to update facilities, training staffs, weight rooms,”
continuing with,
“Necessities to keep the modern NFL athlete top tier.”
Former Texans defensive end and CBS analyst J.J. Watt also expressed disappointment, posting on X,
“NFL won’t let actual players grade the workplace they attend every single day,”
adding,
“But they’ll allow a third-party ‘grading’ service [Pro Football Focus] to display their ‘rankings’ of players on national television every Sunday night.”
Owners’ Opposition to Player Report Cards
Several NFL owners have voiced strong objections to the report cards. Jets owner Woody Johnson, whose team’s ranking dropped from 21st in 2023 to 29th in 2024, disparaged the survey at the previous annual NFL meeting in Palm Beach, labeling it “totally bogus.” Johnson also received an F grade as an owner for his leadership in team culture and investment, ranking last among all 32 owners.
Johnson stated,
“We want to get better every day in every category. We want to be No. 1 in everything. All of our people do.”
He added,
“If there are areas we can improve — and I think there are always areas we can improve, not because of this bogus report — we’re going to do it.”
Significance and What to Expect Going Forward
This ruling marks a significant shift in how player feedback will be gathered and shared within the NFL. The league is signaling a preference for a more controlled and jointly developed feedback process, aiming to avoid public criticism perceived as damaging. For players, this removes an official avenue for airing concerns about team environments and internal operations.
The decision could impact initiatives related to player welfare and workplace conditions, with the league proposing collaboration on a new survey method that adheres strictly to the CBA’s scientific and procedural requirements. How effective this new approach will be in capturing player sentiment and prompting organizational improvements remains to be seen.
With player activists like Cam Jordan and J.J. Watt speaking out against the ban, the issue may continue to evoke debate about transparency and accountability in the league’s culture. Meanwhile, owners may feel less pressure from public rankings, potentially slowing efforts to upgrade facilities and personnel standards based on player feedback.
Sources: The NFL informed all 32 teams today in a memo that it prevailed in its grievance vs. the NFLPA and its “team report cards.” An arbitrator determined that the NFLPA’s conduct violated the CBA and ordered it to stop making public any future report cards. pic.twitter.com/mss5WUQjhF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2026
The NFL is upset that Teams have been graded, judged and coerced to update to facilities, training staffs, weight rooms. Necessities to keep the modern NFL athlete top tier. 🙄 https://t.co/9N0Q7xNauy
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) February 13, 2026
NFL won’t let actual players grade the workplace they attend every single day, but they’ll allow a 3rd party “grading” service to display their “rankings” of players on national television every Sunday night… https://t.co/JBQXOgFZIN
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 13, 2026
