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Kalyn Kahler
Multiple Authors
For the third straight year, the Miami Dolphins have topped the NFL Players Association’s annual report cards, as reported by ESPN. The Minnesota Vikings ranked second, followed closely by the Washington Commanders in third place.
The NFLPA survey stated, “Players frequently refer to the organization as ‘the best in the NFL'” regarding the Dolphins.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, for the first time in the four years of the union’s survey, finished last. Last year, they were ranked 28th. The Arizona Cardinals landed at 31st in the 2026 survey after a last-place finish in 2025, while the Cleveland Browns remained at 30th, consistent with their 2025 score.
This year, the NFLPA has decided not to release the report cards publicly following a grievance lodged by the NFL, which argued that the survey breached the collective bargaining agreement. An arbitrator recently sided with the league, stating that the report cards were in violation of the CBA by “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals.” even with this, the NFLPA has indicated that it will continue to gather responses for report cards, even if it cannot publish them.
A representative from the NFLPA declined to comment.
An NFL spokesperson also refused to comment, asserting that, similar to previous years, the league had no prior knowledge of the survey. then, the league distributed a memo to all teams, emphasizing that the arbitration hearing demonstrated the survey results are “neither reliable nor scientifically valid.”
“… We continue to urge clubs to prioritize feedback and insights directly from their players rather than depending on the NFLPA’s agenda-oriented initiative,” the league stated in the memo, a copy of which was secured by ESPN. “We also recommend that clubs avoid public input or commentary regarding the alleged survey and Report Card outcomes.”
The report cards assign grades from A-plus to F-minus based on aspects ranging from ownership to family treatment. According to the survey results obtained by ESPN, this year’s report cards reflect the feedback from 1,759 players. Eligibility extended to all players on a roster during the 2025 season, and the survey was carried out from Nov. 2 to Dec. 11.
The Steelers scored poorly across several categories, based on the findings accessed by ESPN.
“[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last across the league for his willingness to invest in facilities, a trend mirrored in the Steelers’ low ratings in facility quality,” the survey noted.
In a newly introduced category this year, the Steelers received the lowest-rated home field in the league “by a significant margin.”
“Players mentioned inadequate maintenance and excessive damage caused by hosting local college and high school games,” the survey highlighted. “Numerous players across the league pointed out the field’s poor condition and emphasized the necessity for investment to elevate it to standard levels.”
The Steelers’ locker room received an F grade. Players reported that it “only has five bathroom stalls for the entire team.”
According to the survey, players indicated that the Steelers’ training room lacks modern recovery technology and “modalities.” even if the strength coaches ranked last in the NFL, the training staff was rated first.
“We will not comment on a report that we have not reviewed in its entirety,” stated Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten to ESPN.
A spokesperson for the Cardinals also declined to comment.
Miami secured fourth place for its home field, credited to the natural grass at Hard Rock Stadium, “with players praising their preference for high-quality grass fields like this one,” the survey stated.
Former Miami coach Mike McDaniel’s rating fell from an A-plus to a B. “Players pointed to scheduling, communication, and leadership as key areas for head coaching improvement, creating opportunities for [new head coach Jeff] Hafley next season,” the survey noted.
Last year, 1,695 players leaguewide participated in the survey. The Vikings and Dolphins received the highest ratings for workplace environment, with owners Zygi Wilf of the Vikings, Stephen Ross of the Dolphins, and Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons being awarded A-plus grades.
Prior to filing its grievance in November, the NFL had previously requested the union suspend the survey twice, once in 2024 and again in June of this year—both times the NFLPA declined.
During the NFL league meeting in March 2025, New York Jets chairman Woody Johnson—along with Art Rooney of the Steelers, Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, Michael Bidwill of the Cardinals, and David Tepper of the Carolina Panthers, who all received ownership grades of D or lower in 2025—called the survey “totally bogus” and suggested it breached the CBA.
Johnson expressed concerns about “how the information was gathered [and] who it was sourced from. [It] was supposed to be, as per the agreement with the league, a process that includes representatives from both sides, ensuring an honest survey.
“And that was, in my view, violated. I’ll leave it at that, but I think many owners reviewed that survey and concluded that it’s unfair, unbalanced, and not truly representative of the players.”
