For the past several years NFL players could make their voices heard about the state of their franchises through an annual report card, established by the players and distributed by the players association. As of this week, that report card is no more -- at least publicly.
The NFL sent a memo to its 32 teams on Friday announcing that it had won its grievance against the NFLPA, and the annual report cards analyzing feedback from players would cease to be made widely available.
“We are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator, 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,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “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.”
Previously every NFL player could participate in the survey, with the NFLPA collecting responses and using them to inform grades across a host of categories. Those included things like travel, locker rooms, treatment of families, nutrition, team owners and coaches, among others. The results and letter grades were intended to provide a roadmap for players in free agency, though the league argued that was not the case and were "designed by the union to advance its interests under the guise of scientific exercise." The league's statement noted that information was "cherry picked" and players had no role in drafting the commentary around the results.
The memo included language that indicated the process of acquiring feedback for grades could potentially continue in a non-publicized capacity. The NFLPA responded to the decision indicating that would be the case and players would still have access to the data.
Two Saints veterans were quick to respond negatively to the decision, including DE Cam Jordan.
"The NFL is upset that teams have been graded, judged and coerced to update facilities, training staffs, weight rooms," Jordan posted to X. "Necessities to keep the modern NFL athlete top-tier."
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Saints RB Alvin Kamara also suggested an alternative.
"What if the players made one and tweeted it out at the end of every year," Kamara posted on X in jest of the decision.
The Saints had graded out well or middle of the pack in most categories -- the team graded out 12th overall in 2025 -- but did land notably low in food service grades. They have since significantly overhauled the dining hall facilities, though team officials indicated those plans were in the works prior to any grades being issued. Presumably this year's grades on that topic, reflective of the prior season, would have climbed dramatically with the improvements.
Barring changes, updated grades will never be announced.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report