There are a lot of different factors that go into where someone decides to work. A bad work culture can affect well-being, and a good work culture can help with retention and productivity. In sports, players don’t often get to choose their first workplace. Surveys such as the National Football League Players Association team report cards are important for players getting drafted and traded to understand the environment they may be working in.
When a player goes into the draft, they may be unsure of what team they will be drafted to. Sure, there are unofficial conversations behind the scenes, seeing that a team doesn’t want to draft a player who doesn’t want to play for them. Players also have an understanding of what round they may be drafted and to what team, but that doesn’t always work out. Jalen Hurts originally thought he was going to be drafted by the Steelers, not the Eagles.
Though teams try to draft players who will play for them, that doesn’t always happen. As a draftee, players do not have to sign with the team that drafts them. Notably, Eli Manning did not sign with the Chargers when they drafted him in 2004 because he didn’t see the team fit for a young quarterback. More recently in the NHL, Cutter Gauthier refused to sign with the Flyers, resulting in him being traded to Anaheim.
On Wednesday, the NFLPA released their third annual team report cards. These report cards are the results of a survey sent out to players about topics ranging from coaching/ownership to the treatment of families. These are meant to keep players informed about different workplaces and drive improvement for teams.
In the past year, some teams have made huge leaps in standing such as the Falcons and Chargers. The two teams were ranked 25 and 30 last year and now are ranked third and fifth respectively.
This survey has worked to improve some of the conditions players work in. For example, almost every team in the NFL now offers gameday daycare services for players. Teams with lower grades should work to change, seeing that bad grades could mean players do not want to go or stay there. Take the Browns for example: They are ranked 30 overall and only have three categories with a B or higher. With that ranking, combined with the season’s results, it is no wonder their star player Myles Garrett requested a trade.
Teams with high rankings can have better retention and more appeal to players looking for a trade. The Dolphins and Vikings ranked first and second out of all 32 teams for the second year in a row. The Dolphins did not earn a single grade below an A and the Vikings only have one B. These results, plus opportunities for success, can make these teams more desirable for veteran players to be traded to them.
These surveys let players have a voice without fear of backlash. This insulation of the survey in the NFL has helped improve the players’ conditions. It is also important for players entering the NFL or looking for a trade to consider what environment they are going into. Other leagues should adopt this type of evaluation for full transparency with players and fans.
Cassie is a junior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
