Imagine a world where the players' voices are silenced, their criticisms of team management and ownership swept under the rug. That’s exactly what the NFL tried to do when they filed a grievance against the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) annual report cards. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the NFL’s victory in preventing the NFLPA from publicly airing these grievances, the ruling itself reveals a treasure trove of player complaints—and it’s all about to come to light again.
In a 26-page decision, arbitrator Scott E. Buchheit ruled in favor of the NFL, barring the NFLPA from publicly releasing criticisms of teams and owners. However, the ruling also includes a detailed breakdown of the very complaints the NFL sought to suppress from the 2025 report cards. And this is the part most people miss: while the NFLPA can’t publish these criticisms directly, the report cards themselves are still being distributed to players—meaning it’s only a matter of time before they leak.
The decision outlines specific grievances from 11 teams, painting a vivid picture of player dissatisfaction. For instance, the New York Jets faced backlash for cutting the food budget and failing to retain a long-time dietician after poor food grades. Owner Woody Johnson received the lowest rating in the league, a 5.58 out of 10, due to perceived unwillingness to invest in facilities. The Cincinnati Bengals were slammed for their treatment of players’ families, with one player describing it as “almost disrespectful.” Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills were criticized for inadequate training staff and uncomfortable travel conditions.
Other teams didn’t fare much better. The Arizona Cardinals were ranked last overall, with players faulting owner Michael Bidwill for his lukewarm commitment to team culture. The Philadelphia Eagles faced frustration over crowded mealtimes and seating arrangements on team flights. Even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were called out for a locker room with poor ventilation and a persistent bad smell.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Jacksonville Jaguars received an F for family treatment, the Kansas City Chiefs were criticized for outdated facilities and subpar lodging, and the Carolina Panthers were called out for cost-cutting measures like using turf instead of grass. Even the storied New England Patriots faced heat for their “worst” team plane and dingy locker room carpeting.
Here’s the kicker: while these complaints are from the 2025 report cards, the 2026 edition is already in the works—and it’s bound to surface eventually. Once leaked, we’ll be the first to bring you the full details.
But here’s the real question: Should players’ voices be silenced, or do they have a right to publicly criticize their teams and owners? The NFL says one thing, but the players—and the public—may feel another. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
UPDATE 11:46 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the complaints came from the 2025 surveys, not the 2025 report cards. The surveys will be released to players but not published by the NFLPA. Historically, report cards have been released during the Scouting Combine.
