Patriots receive poor grades in NFLPA survey, including bad marks for plane, ownership
“The current plane is too small, there is no Wi-Fi available, and there are seats with ashtrays in the armrests."
Speaking last March at the NFL owners meeting in Florida, Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed dismay over the poor grades doled out to his team in the latest NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) report cards.
“I must tell you, I was unaware of how bad it was,” Kraft told reporters, adding: “I’d be very surprised if that didn’t improve.”
But a year after New England ranked 29th out of 32 teams in the NFLPA’s grading system — including an F-minus for treatment of families and an F for the team’s weight room — the results were even worse this past season.
The NFLPA’s 2025 report cards painted an ugly picture for New England — especially when it comes to team travel, ownership, and the franchise’s facilities.
The Patriots ranked 31st out of 32 NFL teams as part of the 2025 report cards, which were compiled by the NFLPA via an anonymous survey of 1,695 players across the league.
New England has seemingly regressed with each new year that the NFLPA report cards have been released — ranking 24th in 2023, dropping down five spots in 2024, and now ranking second-to-last in the league behind only the Arizona Cardinals.
Here is how New England graded out in several areas this past season.
- Treatment of Families: C- (18th)
- Food/Dining Area: C (24th)
- Nutritionist: B (25th)
- Locker Room: C- (22nd)
- Training Room: C- (30th)
- Training Staff: C+ (26th)
- Weight Room: F (32nd)
- Strength Coaches: B (26th)
- Team Travel: F (32nd)
- Head Coach: B+ (24th)
- Ownership: D (29th)
The NFLPA noted in its report that the Patriots’ grades should improve following the competition of a new team facility adjacent to Gillette Stadium.
“The Patriots rank 31st overall this season, but there are signs of progress,” the report noted. Following last year’s report, owner Robert Kraft announced a $50 million investment in a new facility adjacent to the stadium, which broke ground in December and is expected to open in 2026.
“After receiving an F- last year for their treatment of players’ families, the team made immediate improvements, including hiring a staff member to manage family services and adding a family room and daycare during games. These changes were well received, and players believe that family support is now the team’s biggest strength.
“However, key facility issues remain, including the need to renovate the building, a cramped weight room, and outdated locker rooms. It is anticipated that those issues will be fixed when the new facility opens.”
New England’s team plane — which is owned by Kraft — drew plenty of poor reviews from players.
“Players want an upgraded team plane,” the NFLPA noted. “The current plane is too small, there is no Wi-Fi available, and there are seats with ashtrays in the armrests. Players specifically responded that ‘our plane is the worst thing – size, space, safety’ and ‘it is not conducive to preparedness for athletic performance.’”
Jerod Mayo — who lasted just one season in New England as the team’s head coach — earned the highest grade at B+.
Kraft earned a rank of 30 out of 32 owners when it came to how he “contributes to a positive team culture”, as well as a similar 30th overall ranking for being “committed to building a competitive team”.
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