The 2 O’Clock Club: The annual NFLPA player’s survey

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere…

The 5 o’clock club is published from time to time during the season, and aims to provide a forum for reader-driven discussion at a time of day when there isn’t much NFL news being published. Feel free to introduce topics that interest you in the comments below.

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CLICK HERE to see the full 5 o’clock club archive

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The NFL Players Association is continuing to poll players about their teams with the third annual survey of NFLPA members.

In the NFLPA Team Report Cards 2025, nearly 1,700 players were surveyed, and the Commanders saw their overall ranking take a bit jump up from 2024, with Josh Harris and others getting some good marks.

That said, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, especially when it comes to infrastructure-type facilities (like locker rooms) that may be hard — but not impossible — to change.

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Josh Harris famously said last year that he’s “not an ‘F-minus’ guy.

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Unfortunately, despite the overall improvement for the Commanders, the locker room still got an “F” despite whatever efforts Josh Harris and the rest of the organization made to improve the facilities since taking control of the franchise.

According to the NFLPA, The survey was administered from August 26 to November 20, 2024. Artemis Strategy Group conducted the census survey online and provided access to every player who was on a 2024 NFL roster at the time of the survey. A total of 1,695 players completed the survey this year.

Answers were collected anonymously, and players evaluated their current workplace based on their experience at that club. The survey included both closed-ended and optional open-ended questions. Grades are calculated based on player responses to a series of survey rating questions in 11 categories. Each category grade is based primarily on scores from scaled rating questions. Grades also reflect additional details about workplace conditions, such as the quality of club offerings. Teams are ranked within each category and overall on the basis of their scores. Each team’s overall score is based on a weighted combination of grades for each of the 11 categories.

Overview of the Washington Commanders

After finishing last for two consecutive years, the Washington Commanders surged to 11th overall. The Commanders’ improved rating reflects how meaningful improvements to players’ daily experience can be achieved, even with physical facility limitations.

Key to the turnaround was the hiring of Dan Quinn, who finished the season as the No. 1 ranked head coach across the league. Additionally, the team invested in the food program, improving their grade from a D+ to a B+. They also increased the frequency of family events and began providing daycare during home games which boosted their grade for treatment of families, rising from an F- to a B+. The improvement in team travel is notable, with 95% of players reporting comfortable personal space on flights, up from just 50% last year.

The team’s strength coaches deserve special recognition for maintaining an A rating year after year.

Despite progress, the facility itself remains a major issue. The building is old and in need of major renovation. Players single out the locker room as the area that needs attention.

When asked what the team does best, the most consistent response is clear: they are positively changing the culture—and it shows both in the survey results and on the field.

To read a bit more detail about each category, CLICK HERE.