In the recently leaked 2026 NFLPA team report cards, the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 31st overall, marking only a minor improvement from last year’s 32nd-place finish. Despite a change at head coach with Jonathan Gannon’s firing, the franchise remains near the bottom of the league rankings, reflecting ongoing challenges within the organization.
Latest NFLPA Rankings Reveal Arizona Cardinals’ Struggles Continue
The Arizona Cardinals climbed just one spot from last year’s NFLPA report cards, moving from last place to 31st in the 2026 cycle. These report cards, which evaluate team conditions such as facilities, player treatment, and organizational culture, were not meant to be publicly released after the NFL won a grievance against the NFLPA to block their publication. However, ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler obtained the official results, confirming the Cardinals’ low standing.
According to a tweet by Ari Meirov, the top three teams in the NFLPA rankings this year are the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Commanders, while the bottom three include the Cleveland Browns at 30th, the Arizona Cardinals at 31st, and the Pittsburgh Steelers dead last at 32nd. The Steelers’ poor ranking was linked in part to field conditions among other factors.
Some of the NFLPA team report card grades have been leaked, via @kalynkahler: Top 3: 1)Dolphins (3rd straight year) 2) Vikings 3) Commanders Bottom 3: 30) Browns 31) Cardinals 32) Steelers Pittsburgh got rocked because of its field conditions, among other categories. Read… pic.twitter.com/7iXvP4WrtQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate)
League Ruling Halts Public Release of Future Report Cards
The NFL officially informed all 32 teams that it successfully filed a grievance to prevent the NFLPA from releasing future team report cards publicly. An arbitrator ruled that such disclosures violated the league’s collective bargaining agreement, putting a stop to this form of transparency going forward.
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
Ownership Changes and Organizational Issues Affecting Team Perception
The Cardinals’ difficulties extend beyond on-field performance to deeper cultural and infrastructural problems. Owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort addressed the media at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe shortly after the team decided to part ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon on January 5, 2026. Bidwill has frequently been criticized in connection with repeated low report card rankings. Complaints against the franchise have included players being charged for meals and the use of outdated or insufficient facilities.
In comparison with other NFL teams that invest significantly in player nutrition, recovery sciences, and family-oriented services, the Cardinals’ marginal improvements fall short of league standards. Bidwill previously dismissed the report cards as “totally bogus,” according to ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler.
Player Retention and Attractiveness to Free Agents at Risk
Data suggests there is a clear correlation between a team’s organizational stability, player satisfaction, and success in retaining talent while attracting free agents. Top teams in the NFL focus as much on weekday operations and infrastructure as they do on game day victories, creating workplace environments that encourage commitment and long-term relationships. For the Cardinals, poor rankings in workplace evaluations over consecutive years have the potential to influence players’ decisions on contract offers and tenure with the franchise.
Without significant changes starting at the ownership level, the Cardinals risk remaining stuck at the bottom of the rankings that matter most, both on and off the field.
Emerging Roster Moves Signal Possible New Direction
Among ongoing evaluations, speculation surrounds the potential addition of quarterback Malik Willis. Reports indicate that Willis joining the Arizona Cardinals remains a real possibility as the team seeks to reshape its roster and address competitive shortcomings.
Malik Willis coming to the Arizona Cardinals is a real possibility
As the franchise considers fresh talent and management strategies, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the Cardinals can climb from their current standing and improve both performance and organizational culture.
Some of the NFLPA team report card grades have been leaked, via @kalynkahler:
Top 3:
1)Dolphins (3rd straight year)
2) Vikings
3) CommandersBottom 3:
30) Browns
31) Cardinals
32) SteelersPittsburgh got rocked because of its field conditions, among other categories.
Read… pic.twitter.com/7iXvP4WrtQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 26, 2026
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
