The NFL filed a grievance over the NFL Players Association’s annual report cards in order to keep the NFLPA from publicizing criticisms of teams and owners. The NFL won a ruling preventing the NFLPA from doing so.
Still, the 26-page ruling from arbitrator Scott E. Buchheit, a copy of which PFT has obtained, makes it clear that the next wave of report cards may be disseminated to all players.
The opinion also includes a full list of the criticisms about which the NFL complained from the 2025 report cards.
Here’s the full content of relevant portions of Buchheit’s written decision.
“As to the individual comments contained within the Report Cards that lead to the letter grades, the NFLMC has richly detailed that they do contain numerous criticisms. These include, but are not limited to, the following examples from the 2025 Report Card that are contained in its brief:
“New York Jets: The Union said Players complained that ‘management responded to feedback [from prior Team Report Cards] by making conditions worse,’ including cutting the food budget and not retaining a long-time dietician after poor food grades the prior year. The Union also graded owner Woody Johnson an F — the lowest owner rating in the league, 5.58 out of 10 — which, according to Players, resulted from his perceived unwillingness to invest in facilities. . . . Players cited ‘perceived top leadership issues, with some describing issues as “top-down problems”'—reflecting ownership concerns.
“Cincinnati Bengals: The Union again criticized treatment of families, stating that Players called it a ‘major concern’ and saying there is ‘little to no effort’ to support families. ‘One player describes the treatment of families as “‘almost disrespectful,”’ resulting in a grade of F-minus.
“Buffalo Bills: The Union dropped the Club in the overall rankings from prior years because ‘issues . . . previously raised [by Players] . . . have not been addressed and thus have become greater concerns[.]’ The Union claimed Players were concerned that ‘current [training] staffing is inadequate to help them recover,’ and ‘travel continues to be the worst part of their experience’ because they ‘do not have a comfortable amount of space when traveling and the travel schedule itself is a source of significant dissatisfaction.’
“Arizona Cardinals: The Union ranked the Club last overall based on Player feedback, criticizing the treatment of families (lack of family events, limits on pregame sideline access, poor in-game family accommodations), and a so-called deficient locker room, training facilities, and weight room. The Union stated that Players also faulted owner Michael Bidwill, saying he ‘slightly contributes to a positive team culture’ and is only ‘somewhat committed to building a competitive team[.]’
“Philadelphia Eagles: The Union highlighted that Players ‘are frustrated that mealtimes overlap with the organization’s business staff, leading to crowding and limited seats,’ and ‘feel they should get first class seats on team flights instead of the coaching staff.’
“Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Union published that Players criticized the locker room, lodging ‘several complaints about cleanliness, including poor ventilation and a persistent bad smell.’
“Jacksonville Jaguars: The Union gave the Club an F for treatment of families; ‘Players believe that many changes need to be made,’ including more access to sideline passes, a family room during the game, and upgrades to the post-game family area.
“Kansas City Chiefs: The Union said Players ‘continue to express the need for renovation and upgrades to the locker room’ and criticized the home game hotel as the ‘lowest in the league,’ remarking that it is ‘outdated,’ the beds are ‘uncomfortable,’ and the floors are ‘dirty and sticky.’
“Carolina Panthers: The Union continued to cite Player criticisms of owner David Tepper for using ‘turf instead of grass, perhaps because it is cheaper to maintain,’ and complained about travel due to the ‘new coaching staff moving players from first class last season and placing them in smaller, coach seats.’
“New England Patriots: The Union gave the Club a failing travel grade and singled out the ‘team plane’ —'Players specifically responded that “our plane is the worst thing – size, space, [and] safety,”’ and ‘it is not conducive to preparedness for athletic performance,’ because, among other things, ‘it lacks Wi-Fi and still has ashtrays in the seats.’ One player also referred to the carpeting in the locker room as ‘dingy with pieces missing.’
“Indianapolis Colts: The Union stated that Players complained of travel arrangements, noting that they ‘don’t feel like they have enough personal space on flights. They want more access to first-class seating.’
Those are the full complaints from the 2025 report cards that were included in Buchheit’s decision. Eleven teams in all were mentioned, with three owners identified by name — Woody Johnson, Michael Bidwill, and David Tepper.
The complaints listed in the 26-page ruling come from not from the to-be-released report cards but from the report cards prepared and published in 2025. It’s inevitable, however, that one of the many NFLPA members who’ll receive the 2026 report card will disclose them, to someone. Once they’re leaked (to PFT or to another outlet), we’ll post them here in full.
UPDATE 11:46 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this article mistakenly characterized the complaints listed above as coming from the survey conducted in 2025, not from the report cards released in 2025. The 2025 surveys were not included in Buccheit’s opinion. They’ll eventually be released to the players but not published by the NFLPA. In past years, the report cards were released during the Scouting Combine.
Bucs Clips
The Buccaneers, at 6-2 through eight weeks, seemed to be destined to win their fifth straight NFC South crown, and to make it to the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Then, the roof fell in.
They went 2-7 down the stretch and ended up among the 20 non-playoff teams for 2025. Linebacker Lavonte David recently reflected on the collapse.
“To be honest with you, I think it’s embarrassing,” David told the Caps Off podcast, via JoeBucsFan.com. “You know what I’m saying? We had ample amount of opportunities to be able to clinch our division. We lost to the Dolphins. We lost to the Saints. We lost to Carolina at their home. If we would have won one of those games, we would have made the playoffs, which is crazy and insane to think about. Like after all that, losing all those games, we still had an opportunity to make the playoffs.
“We controlled our own destiny and we kind of like shit the bed.”
We agree, with one exception: They didn’t “kind of like” do it.
David, as an impending free agent, will have to decide whether to stick around, or whether to move on. (He said during the same podcast interview that he’s “undecided” about retirement.)
The Buccaneers have talent. But something was missing. The organization decided that a coaching change wasn’t needed; however, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard got the heave-ho after one season in Tampa Bay.
The pressure will be on coach Todd Bowles in 2026. In a division that remains fairly wide open, there’s no reason the Buccaneers can’t re-establish themselves as the best of the four teams. If they don’t, things could change significantly for 2027.
Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has played one of the most physically demanding positions in football for 14 years. He’s not sure whether he’ll keep going, but he believes he can.
“I feel good,” David recently told the Caps Off podcast via JoeBucsFan.com. “You know, I’m healthy. I’m happy. I’m undecided [on retiring]. I’m genuinely undecided, like I don’t know. I don’t know. I still got a lot of football left in me. I know that for sure. I still love the game. I know that for sure. The other side is I want to spend more time with my daughter. She’s in school, so [I’ve been] taking her to school and it’s a good feeling.”
David turned 36 last month. He’s due to become a free agent next month.
A second-round pick in 2012, David has played his entire career with the Buccaneers. He’s survived (actually, thrived) through five different head coaches.
David has played 215 regular-season games. He has started every one of them. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2013. Two other times, he was a second-team All-Pro. Somehow, he’s been voted to the Pro Bowl only once.
He’s at crossroads. After that much time, it makes sense. While (amazingly) he’s confident he can still physically do it, life changes for a guy in his late 30s. Priorities change. Football season is a significant commitment of time and focus and effort.
At some point, the cost of continuing outweighs the benefit — especially for a guy who has made $100.846 million under six different contracts with the same team.
The Buccaneers announced several additions to their coaching staff on Thursday.
Among the new coaches are pass game coordinator T.J. Yates and senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist Ken Zampese. Both men coached with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson prior to his move from Atlanta to Tampa.
Quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer’s addition was previously reported. The Bucs have also hired defensive assistant Todd Bowles Jr., assistant offensive line coach Andrew Mitchell, assistant special teams coach Luke Smith, and defensive line coach Marcus West.
The Buccaneers also announced the promotions of safeties coach Tim Atkins, cornerbacks coach Rashad Johnson, and head strength and conditioning coach Chad Wade.
Over the weekend, former Cardinals and Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians disclosed that he’s due to have open heart surgery on Friday, February 6.
On Tuesday, Arians posted an update on Twitter.
“Recently on The Today Show, I mentioned I would be having open heart surgery and I just wanted to clarify and let everyone know the procedure I am having is a common one and is something my doctors and I have been monitoring for a number of years and they recommend I correct the issue now so l can be as good as new back on the golf course ASAP,” Arians said on Twitter. “I want to thank everyone for all the prayers and well-wishes.”
Arians has overcome several health challenges over the years. He seems to be ready to take this one in stride, and he’s anxious to get back to working on his swing.
The Buccaneers have found a new quarterbacks coach.
According to multiple reports, Chandler Whitmer is taking over the role for Tampa Bay in 2026.
Whitmer, 34, spent the 2025 season with Indiana University as the program’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, helping IU win the CFP national championship and Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman Trophy.
But Whitmer also has familiarity with new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, as Whitmer served on the Falcons’ staff in 2024 as a passing game specialist. Robinson was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator in 2024 and 2025.
Whitmer also spent time with the Chargers from 2021-2023 as an offensive quality control coach.
Former Cardinals and Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has fought and won plenty of health battles. He’s about to fight another.
Appearing on Today to promote an upcoming prostate cancer screening Super Bowl commercial with tight end Rob Gronkowski, Arians told Craig Melvin that Arians will undergo open heart surgery on February 6.
The comment came at the tail end of the interview, with no specifics as to why Arians will have the procedure.
We wish him nothing but the best. He’s always been a colorful character, more than willing to drop an S-bomb or an F-bomb or an MF-bomb or some combination of the three.
Also, watch the interview and the commercial. Men over 40 need prostate cancer screening. And it no longer comes with the singing of Moon River.
Mike Evans said late last year that he’ll make a decision about playing in 2026 “when the time is right” and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield thinks he knows which way that decision is going to go.
During an appearance on The Ronde Barber Show, Mayfield was asked about what kind of pitch he’d make to Evans about returning for a 13th season. Mayfield said he doesn’t believe he’ll have to make a hard sell because Evans will want to play for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson while wiping away the memory of missing the playoffs at the end of an injury-plagued season.
“I don’t have to really plea with it,” Mayfield said. “Mike’s too much of a competitor and cares too much about Tampa to end his career without 1,000 yards, without a division championship, without a playoff run. And that, first of all, speaks to who Mike is but that’s the truth. And you know he doesn’t want to do that. You could just kind of feel it. Listen, I don’t have any info. I’ve told Mike, ‘This is your decision. Take your time doing it.’ But, understanding who Mike is, this is my guess, that he didn’t want it to end this way. He knows the potential if we’re able to stay a little bit more healthy. Zac will do great things for us, and we’ll go from there. But Mike’s got more in the tank. You could tell with the energy, the fire he had at the end of the year.”
Evans is not under contract for the 2026 season, but it feels like a safe bet that the Bucs would want him back if the wideout decides to keep playing.
Like Kevin Patullo, Josh Grizzard was a first-time offensive coordinator in 2025. Like Patullo, Grizzard was fired after one season.
Grizzard will now be working for Patullo’s former team.
Per multiple reports, Grizzard has been hired to serve as the Eagles’ pass game coordinator. On Thursday, the Eagles hired Packers quarterback coach Sean Mannion to be the new offensive coordinator in Philly.
Grizzard, 35, was promoted from pass game coordinator to offensive coordinator in Tampa last year, after Liam Coen left to become head coach of the Jaguars.
Grizzard was one of the candidates for the offensive coordinator job in Philadelphia, a high-risk, high-reward gig that, for four straight years, has either resulted in a catapult to a head-coaching job or the issuance of a pink slip.
The Buccaneers are considering a coach from this year’s national champions for their quarterbacks coach job.
Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media reports that they have interviewed Chandler Whitmer for the position. Whitmer was a co-offensive coordinator for the Hoosiers and also coached the team’s quarterbacks.
That group includes Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the first overall pick in this year’s draft. Whitmer would be working with a more experienced quarterback in Baker Mayfield if he winds up working in Tampa.
Whitmer was a passing game specialist for the Falcons in 2024 and Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson held the same role in Atlanta that season. He also worked for the Chargers, Clemson and Ohio State before joining Curt Cignetti’s staff in Bloomington.
