Last year the Atlanta Falcons’ NFLPA report card grade left them ranked 25th overall with Falcons’ strength coaching staff being the low point receiving an F-minus grade, but now after turning over their strength coaching staff, and upgrading their facilities this year, led by director of player performance John Griffin, the Falcons’ strength coaching staff and strength and conditioning program received an A, and overall the Falcons jumped from 25th to third in NFLPA's annual report card.
Raheem Morris, who was hired in January to replace Arthur Smith received an A-plus grade, and ranked as the second-most popular grade among head coaches behind only former Falcons coach and close Morris confidant Dan Quinn. Smith received a C-plus grade in the 2024 report.
Team owner Arthur Blank ranked second among owners, and ranked third in his commitment to improve the team’s facility. The Falcons renovated their locker room and dining facility and built a new two-story weight room in the offseason. Atlanta received at least a B in all 11 categories measured in the survey, and earlier today The Morning Shift explained why the Falcons' high ranks on their NFLPA report card will translate to more wins on the field.
“Arthur Blank has gone above and beyond to address these issues, and look we can talk back and forth about Arthur Blank all day, but I can’t say it enough this man has done a lot to make sure his players are happy, and I think that should translate in a lot of different ways moving forward.” Mike Johnson said
Beau Morgan adds to Mike’s point by dispelling any beliefs that this isn’t a big deal, and explains that it goes a long way for players having other players be vocal about how well they’re treated by their organizations.
“Players hearing other players love it here I think that means something. You want to go somewhere where you’re treated like a human being. You want to work in a good environment.” Beau said
As the Falcons continue to put together a winning team on the field they’ll continue to want free agents to come and help the team, and even though the product on the field and winning is what’s most attractive to free agents there’s no doubt that, as Beau said “players hearing other players love it here” could help put the Falcons over the top when
A potential free agent is making a decision between the Falcons and another team.
The NFLPA report card also shows the Falcons are listening to their own players and keeping them happy, and that’s just as important too, so even though the Falcons’ NFLPA report card may seem like it’s irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t.
