INDIANAPOLIS — The Washington Commanders had a rough year before new owner Josh Harris took charge. After ranking as the worst workplace in the NFL, Harris stated, “I’m not an F-minus guy.”
Now, things have turned around. In just one season, the Commanders jumped from 32nd to 11th in the NFLPA’s annual report card survey. They made significant changes after Daniel Snyder’s exit, focusing on improving various areas for their players.
First-year head coach Dan Quinn also made an impact. He led a team that went 4-13 the previous year to a 12-5 finish and a spot in the NFC championship game. The team’s food services, travel arrangements, and family accommodations saw enhancements, raising their workplace grade from an F-minus to a solid B.
On the flip side, the New York Jets faced a decline. They fell from 21st to 29th place. Players expressed frustrations about owner Woody Johnson not investing in team improvements, leading to a negative culture described by NFLPA’s chief strategy officer, J.C. Tretter, as a “culture of fear.”
The NFLPA surveyed 1,695 players, averaging nearly 53 responses per team, which reflects 77% of active and practice-squad members. The poll was conducted during team visits from late August through November, with the New York Giants seeing the highest response rate at 68 players.
For the second year in a row, the Miami Dolphins topped the rankings as the best workplace, followed closely by the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. The Falcons made the most significant leap, jumping from 25th to third due to extensive facility upgrades and a new coaching staff led by Raheem Morris, who ranked as the second-most liked coach.
The Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers rounded out the top eight, while the Arizona Cardinals received the lowest marks, followed by the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
As NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell noted, this effort is not just about complaints. It’s about improving working conditions for players. In the past year, the number of A-minus or higher ratings given by players increased by 41%, while low grades dropped significantly. Only four areas across teams were marked with F-minuses.
Overall, teams have made strides in improving hygiene and safety, addressing previous issues like contaminated water and pest control. However, the Falcons did face some complaints regarding ventilation in their locker room, highlighting that there’s still work to be done.
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