Patriots receive failing grades by players in NFLPA survey

It was revealed this week that the NFL Players’ Association surveyed 1,300 currently rostered players, all of which played during the 2022 season, asking for their feedback on several different topics.

When describing the decision to conduct the survey, the union said it was a good way for players to share information with their peers while also bringing attention to working conditions around the league.

"“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.”"

The anonymous survey asked the players to rank their team on a scale of 1-5 in several categories. The NFLPA then took that data, translated the scale into letter grades, and released the average scoring of every team in every category.

The Patriots received an overall score of D+, ranking 24th in the league. And when the scoring was broken down to show the grading for each section, it was clear that the team had some fixing to do with their facilities and travel accommodations.

• Treatment of Families: C- (tied-22nd)
• Food Service/Nutrition: B (12th)
• Weight Room: D (31st)
• Strength Coaches: B+ (tied-28th)
• Training Room: C- (tied-22nd)
• Training Staff: A (tied-9th)
• Locker Room: C+ (tied-18th)
• Team Travel: D+ (tied-25th)

Considering the team’s success over the last 20 years and Robert Kraft’s ownership being known as one of the best in the league, the grades were shocking to most. The survey did, however, provide more detail for why each grade was given, shedding some light on how the players feel about their time in Foxboro.

Here are the details provided by the NFLPA website

Treatment of families: C- (ranked 22nd)

• Support of players’ families: Ranked 21st
• They are one of 11 teams that do not offer day care at the stadium
• They are one of 14 teams that do not offer a family room at the stadium
• Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 17th

Food service/nutrition: B (ranked 12th)

• Quality of food: Ranked 13th
• All three meals provided
• 68% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

Weight room: D (ranked 31st)

• The players feel that the facilities and equipment have been the same for a very long time, and they feel it is understaffed.
• 85% feel they have enough strength coaches (Ranked 3rd worst)

Strength coaches: B+ (tied for 28th)

• The players believe that the strength coaches moderately add to their success. Most teams had positive reviews of their strength coaches which is why though they are listed as tied for 28th they still have a good overall grade.
• 81% of players believe they receive an individual plan (30th)

Training room: C- (tied for 22nd)

Staffing

• 84% feel they have enough ATCs
• 75% feel they have enough PTs (11th worst in the league)
• Overall belief that the training room lacks equipment.

Steam room/sauna

• There is a steam room (80% feel it is big enough)
• There is a sauna (73% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

• 77% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
• 81% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

Training staff: A (tied for 9th)

• The players feel that their trainers significantly add to their individual success.

Locker room: C+ (tied for 18th)

• The main complaint is that players want a little more room to spread out without feeling on top of one another.
• 85% of players feel like they have enough space (19th).

(This grade was particularly interesting given that the locker room was renovated in 2018 – but the feedback suggests not enough was done)

Team travel: D+ (tied for 25th)

• 54% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• No roommates
• The seats are all bigger than standard coach seats

(The travel grade also caught the attention of many because the Patriots are one of, if not the only team in the league with a personal plane to use for away games.)

There was also an overview given along with the survey results:

"“The New England Patriots ranked 24th in our team guide. The player respondents’ feedback from our survey described the club’s facility as old, dated and in need of renovation. The staffing of the current facilities was also flagged as an issue in need of improvement, specifically in the weight room and training room. The player respondents’ indicated that facilities and operations at the Patriots can use a refresh.Given the results, it is understandable that only 64% of players believe club owner Robert Kraft is willing to spend the money necessary for upgrades, ranking him 26th in this category.”"

With several renovations currently underway at Gillette Stadium, including a new weight room, it will be interesting to see if this survey will play a role in Robert Kraft’s decision to make more changes to the facility that wasn’t previously included.

The renovation cost is said to be around $225 million as it is, but the upgrades needed, according to the players, would certainly cost a lot more.