NFLPA Blistering Report Card: Patriots Failing in Facilities, Treatment of Families

An anonymous survey of New England Patriots players reveals low perceptions of Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, the team's weight room and the organization's treatment of families.

The New England Patriots endured their worst season in 30 years in 2023, going 4-13 and parting ways with future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick.

Difficult as it is to fathom, could it have been even worse off the field?

The NFL Players Association released its second annual Team Report Cards Wednesday, and the anonymous survey of players proved embarrassing for the Pats. 

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Final score: New England's "workplace environment" ranked 29th out of 32 NFL teams. The lowlights included a head coach and owner both ranked 27th, the organization not providing a family room or day care, and a weight room so outdated that players say they can find better facilities off-site.

A breakdown of the NFLPA's Patriots scorecard:

• Head Coach: B- (27th)
• Ownership: D+ (27th)
• Weight Room: F (32nd)
• Treatment of Families: F- (30th)
• Food/Cafeteria: B- (15th)
• Nutritionist/Dietician: B- (20th)
• Training Staff: B- (25th)
• Training Room: C (22nd)
• Locker Room: C- (20th)
• Strength Coaches: C- (31st)
• Team Travel: D (24th)

Most telling was that Patriots players graded Belichick and owner Robert Kraft so poorly. Belichick received a B- that ranked him 27th. Kraft was also ranked 27th, but only with a D+ that also shines a light on how - in general - players view the league's current group of owners.

Wrote the NFLPA in summary:

"The results point to club management that has not been keeping up with changing times; as in most categories, the player responses highlight outdated facilities and stale services. The players feel the facility has needed significant renovations for a while now, which explains the low grade for club owner Robert Kraft on the question about players having confidence he will invest in their facilities."

Interestingly, the players reporting of "outdated facilities" and "stale services" comes in the wake of last year's $250 million upgrade to Gillette Stadium.

The union polled 1,706 members between August and November 2023, an average participation rate of 53 players per team. They were asked to rate their respective teams in several categories on a 1-5 scale on categories including facility, staff and amenities.

Details of the Patriots' woeful workplace environment:

Head Coach (B-): Only 55 percent of players felt Belichick was efficient with their time and some claimed he was rarely willing to listen to the locker room.

Ownership (D+): Kraft was the sixth-lowest ranked owner, with players giving him only a 6.9 out of 10 on his willingness to invest in the club’s facilities.

Team Travel (D): The Patriots have two private planes, they are grounded as consequence of a pending lawsuit with Eastern Airlines.

Food/Cafeteria (B-): 16th in the NFL in both food taste and freshness.

Nutritionist/Dietician (B-): 80 percent of players feel they get an adequate, individualized dietary plan.

Training Staff (B-): 83 percent feel they receive enough one-on-one treatment.

Training Room (C): Players complained about outdated treatment options and a lack of new equipment.

Locker Room (C-): Only 77 percent of Patriots players feel the team’s locker room is big enough.

Kraft Denies Patriots' Cheap Spending: 'Not True!'

Strength Coaches (C-): The Patriots’ staff will look different next season with Deron Mayo being promoted to head strength and conditioning coach over Moses Cabrera.

Weight Room (F): Ouch. The Patriots are the only team in the NFL whose players feel their facility is worse than what they can find off-site.

Treatment of Families (F-): The Patriots’ worst grade is likely a result of them providing neither a family room nor day care.

The Miami Dolphins received the highest ranking from their players, while the Washington Commanders got the worst scores. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs came in 31st.

---