The NFL filed a grievance asking the NFLPA to stop its annual team report cards, which grades clubs on everything from leadership to training-table food. The players’ union, however, told its members last week it will move ahead with this year’s survey. The league hopes to have a hearing heard by an arbitrator next month, per ESPN.
Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, who is the Bears’ co-alternate union representative, said the survey serves a just cause.
“The whole purpose was to push for better for everyone,” he said Thursday. “It’s not necessarily to shame [teams], it’s to make people aware. and hopefully bring good change. … It helps the players, and that’s what the union’s for.”
The Bears finished 14th in overall rankings last year, when 1,695 NFL players responded to the survey. Bears chairman Geroge McCaskey got an A- while Matt Eberflus, who was fired midseason, was tied for the worst coaching grade in the league when he received a C.
Cafeteria food at Halas Hall received a C+, as did the Bears’ family room on game days. The Bears received a B or better in every other category, including an A in the weight room category and A- in quality of locker room.
The Bears were ranked 10th overall after the 2023 season and 13th after 2022, which was the first year report cards were released.
Guard Jonah Jackson, who played for the Lions and Rams the previous two years, called Halas Hall “probably the most well-run machine I’ve been to” in terms of the survey categories.
Last year, Jets chairman Woody Johnson, who got an ‘F” grade from players, called the survey “totally bogus” and “not fair.”
