The annual tradition of NFL players grading their employers took a litigious turn this year. Just days after a legal ruling barred the National Football League Players Association from releasing its 2026 report cards, they were obtained anyway by ESPN, exposing a massive divide between the league’s front offices and the men in the locker rooms.

The leak comes on the heels of a Feb. 13 decision where the NFL won a grievance against the union. An arbitrator  ruled that the surveys violate the league’s collective bargaining agreement by "disparaging NFL clubs and individuals." According to a memo distributed to all 32 teams, the arbitrator found the report cards were "designed by the union to advance its interests under the guise of a scientific exercise."

The league’s memo further alleged that the union "cherry-picked" data and that players had no role in writing the commentary or selecting the anonymous quotes used to justify the grades. 

Despite the gag order, the 2026 results—based on responses from 1,759 players collected between Nov. 2 and Dec. 11, 2025—have come to light. ESPN received the results, and the Miami Dolphins secured the top overall spot for the second time in three years, while the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders followed closely behind.

At the bottom of the barrel, the Pittsburgh Steelers received a league-worst "F-" grade. Players were particularly vocal about the facilities in the Steel City, noting that the locker room provides only five bathroom stalls for the entire roster. Other franchises struggled in specific categories; the New England Patriots received an "F" for team travel, and the Cincinnati Bengals earned an "F-" for both their treatment of families and their food and dining area.

While the league celebrates its legal victory, the NFLPA insists it will continue to survey its members. The union’s statement noted that while they disagree with the restriction on publicizing results, they will continue to share the data privately with players and clubs to ensure "players’ experiences are heard, respected, and acted on."

2026 NFLPA Report Card Overall Rankings:

1. Miami Dolphins
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Washington Commanders
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Las Vegas Raiders
7. Houston Texans
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Detroit Lions
10. Denver Broncos
11. New Orleans Saints
12. Baltimore Ravens
13. Chicago Bears
14. San Francisco 49ers
15. Los Angeles Chargers
16. Buffalo Bills
17. Indianapolis Colts
18. New York Jets
19. Los Angeles Rams
20. Philadelphia Eagles
21. Green Bay Packers
22. Dallas Cowboys
23. Carolina Panthers
24. Tennessee Titans
25. New York Giants
26. New England Patriots
27. Kansas City Chiefs
28. Cincinnati Bengals
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30. Cleveland Browns
31. Arizona Cardinals
32. Pittsburgh Steelers