The NFLPA is handing out report cards now, the Chiefs' grade is 29th in the NFL

[Quesadilla Joe]

Link:https://nflpa.com/kansas-city-chiefs-report-card
Link: https://nflpa.com/nfl-player-team-report-cards

Spoiler!

One of our core jobs as a union is to improve the overall working conditions for our players, which includes the daily experience of players at the team facilities away from the lights and cameras.

1,300 of our players provided information to share with one another about their current club, to not only help them make important career decisions, but also help raise standards across the league.

Our goals were to highlight positive clubs, identify areas that could use improvement, and highlight best practices and standards. To learn more about the background of this initiative, read a note from President JC Tretter here: https://nflpa.com/posts/nfl-team-rep...by-the-players

The unformatted Chiefs' report card, if you don't want to click the link https://nflpa.com/kansas-city-chiefs-report-card:

Spoiler!

Overview

The Kansas City Chiefs are ranked 29th overall in our team guide. In general, the results show that the facility feels outdated and players would like to see upgrades across the board. Only 56% of respondents believe that club owner Clark Hunt is willing to invest the money to upgrade the facility, ranking him 27th in this category.

Players’ responses showed that treatment of players also falls well below other clubs across the NFL. For example, the Chiefs are one of 6 teams that still make certain players have roommates, and less than 50% of players feel they have enough room to be comfortable on flights.

Feedback on the training room was also notable; player respondents called for a more welcoming environment, and several players had negative opinions about head trainer Rick Burkholder, feeling that he does not treat players fairly and consistently, or with personal care.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Treatment of Families:
B
Tied for 12th

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 16th

They offer a family room
They are one of 11 teams that do not offer daycare

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 13th

Food Service / Nutrition
D+
TIED FOR 18th

Quality of food: Ranked 15th

All three meals provided

Only 50% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

Weight Room
C+
TIED FOR 22nd

The weight room is seen as slightly below average compared to the other teams. Players would like it to be updated with more and newer equipment.

97% feel they have enough strength coaches

Strength Coaches
A-
TIED FOR 17th

When asked about “Strength Coaches adding to their success” they ranked 17th in the NFL. 17th sounds average but that is because most teams rated their strength coaches positively. The Chiefs players gave overall high marks to the strength staff which is why the overall grade is still high.

94% of players believe they receive an individual plan (17th)

Training Room
D+
TIED FOR 24th
Staffing

77% feel they have enough ATCs (4th worst in the league)
61% feel they have enough PTs (4th worst in the league)

Steam Room/Sauna

There is a steam room (91% feel it is big enough)
There is a sauna (91% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

78% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
81% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

Training Staff
D-
32nd
Rated the lowest among training staffs across the NFL.

Responses to the survey called for things like “a more welcoming environment.”

With the lowest rating and concerning qualitative responses, we learned that players’ key concerns are with head trainer Rick Burkholder (not the rest of the training staff, which is generally well liked).
Player respondents expressed beliefs/opinions that:
They feel discouraged from reporting their injuries
They do not feel they get the level of personal care that they should
They fear retribution for speaking up for better care

Locker Room
D-
TIED FOR 28th
73% of players feel like they have enough personal space.

The lockers are old and in desperate need of a renovation.
Many players complain that they want to have a chair at their locker instead of a stool so they can lean back when sitting.

Team Travel
F
TIED FOR 28th

59% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
One of 6 teams that makes young players have roommates
Very few first-class seats

[ku_jhawk23]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Agree with others, I'm sure he's an asshole sbout pushing them in the training room. Also sure he is a conceited alpha male that would clash with other alpha's. But anything less than a strong personality would get ran over by the players. Maybe he wants it to be set up as he's the bad guy and the others are their friends and the good guys?

THIS! Thats not cool no matter the reason.

You do realize that it's possible only one person said this, and the NFLPA ran with it. That's what they do. Unless I missed where they showed what percentage of players responded, this is a joke. Feels like someone is planning the next CBA.

[Chiefnj2]

The NFLPA said they received 1,300 player responses. If you divide that by the 32 teams, then on average you would have 40 players per team responding.

It isn't likely they are running with 1 players response to any of the questions.

The fact that KC players rated their training staff (one guy in particular) as the lowest in the ENTIRE league isn't something the fans should be defensive about and making excuses over. Especially when it involves medical care and feeling retribution for reporting injuries. This opens them up to possible malpractice/negligence claims in the future similar to Malagros/Eagles.

With player safety always being scrutinized by the media, no owner wants to read that his/her team isn't handling player safety in an appropriate manner.

[SuperBowl4]

Do you want a good report card from the NFLPA or win a Super Bowl. Just remember that the NFLPA made former CHIEF Eric Winston their President for six seasons.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The NFLPA said they received 1,300 player responses. If you divide that by the 32 teams, then on average you would have 40 players per team responding.

It isn't likely they are running with 1 players response to any of the questions.

The fact that KC players rated their training staff (one guy in particular) as the lowest in the ENTIRE league isn't something the fans should be defensive about and making excuses over. Especially when it involves medical care and feeling retribution for reporting injuries. This opens them up to possible malpractice/negligence claims in the future similar to Malagros/Eagles.

With player safety always being scrutinized by the media, no owner wants to read that his/her team isn't handling player safety in an appropriate manner.

...what kind of "retribution" are we talking about? Not buying it.

I find it odd that Schuster and Mahomes both credited the training staff for helping them in the playoffs, yet it's one of the worst in the league? Compared to what?

This all feels subjective.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

I may be reading way to much into this.

But it comes off a bit......I dunno....we wanna be more like the NBA kinda thing? We want more power, more decision making etc.

The NFL is a Front Office league. It's not really a players league. The Qbs have some power, but for the most part, it's dominated by the FO's. And it absolutely dominates the other sports in every metric. The NBA is dying, no one gives a shit about MLB and everything else is secondary.

The NFL is king for a reason.

It’s college. Look at all of the insane facilities and staff those players have? Alabama gets over $200 million from donors each year. They get spoiled big time.

CFB is just better in that regard. Guess it’s not enough to get paid 750k+ at the low end in the pro game

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by stevieray

...what kind of "retribution" are we talking about? Not buying it.

I find it odd that Schuster and Mahomes both credited the training staff for helping them in the playoffs, yet it's one of the worst in the league? Compared to what?

This all feels subjective.

Of course it’s subjective. It’s a player survey. Worst in the league compared to player responses from the other 31 teams. Per the report, the problem is only with Burkholder. The report said the rest of the staff is well liked.

[AdolfOliverBush]

It's possible that pro athletes (and football players in particular) aren't always the brightest bulbs on the tree.

[Skyy God]

Mods get an F for granting thread starting privileges to Case of Dildos.

[redfan]

I'll let the other teams worry about grading and grades. The only grade that matters is what you get on your Lombardi final, and my favorite team (The KC Chiefs) got an A (100%).

[ThaVirus]

Having worked in management and staffing, I'll say that people are entitled af and have some ridiculous expectations at times.

You want guys on the team to feel comfortable going to trainers with injuries and feel like there is a safe, warm place for their wives and children at the games, but as long as there's no Commanders-level scandal, I think most of this is just noise.

[dirk digler]

Locker room complaints: Chiefs just upgraded the locker rooms in Arrowhead what 2 years ago or less? If they are talking about the locker rooms in the training facility (which I suspect they are) then that is on Clark to upgrade along with that facility and the weight room. He can afford to do that.

Air Travel complaints: My understanding is that the Chiefs charter a Boeing 777 from United Airlines. It only has 25 or so first class seats so that is on United. Only the Pats have their own personal plane.

Roomates: who cares and that is probably a Reid thing

Training Staff issues: I think this was a big deal but Rick is retiring so it shouldn't be an issue moving forward. Seems like the rest of the staff got high marks and the players love them.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Training Staff issues: I think this was a big deal but Rick is retiring

Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?

[FloridaMan88]

The fact that the Dolphins training staff is tied for first in these rankings when they almost let Tua get killed on the field with repeated traumatic head injuries disqualifies the legitimacy of these rankings.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

The fact that the Dolphins training staff is tied for first in these rankings when they almost let Tua get killed on the field with repeated traumatic head injuries disqualifies the legitimacy of these rankings.

They apparently asked these questions before last season started but that doesn’t make it any less true

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Locker room complaints: Chiefs just upgraded the locker rooms in Arrowhead what 2 years ago or less? If they are talking about the locker rooms in the training facility (which I suspect they are) then that is on Clark to upgrade along with that facility and the weight room. He can afford to do that.

Yes this is referring to the locker room in the training facility which looks dated. The game day locker room at Arrowhead is the one that was renovate recently.

Also the fact that the Chiefs had the most contributions/impact from their rookie class of any Super Bowl champion in recent history indicates that maybe their overall approach to developing rookies… including pairing them with a room mate when traveling is having a positive impact.