That’s the word from NFLPA, as the association released its inaugural “team report cards” Wednesday, and the Vikings topped the list.
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NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The NFLPA is releasing its first-ever team report cards based on surveying roughly 1,300 players. Ranking No. 1 overall in football facilities, staff, and overall treatment of players: the Vikings, followed by the Dolphins at 2 and Raiders at 3.”
Jun 7, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on during mandatory minicamp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Over one thousand players were surveyed, and a sample collectively gave the Vikings an A+ grade, a mark only matched by the aforementioned Dolphins and Raiders. By these categories, Minnesota is the gold standard:
- Treatment of families
- Good service/nutrition
- Weight room
- Strength coaches
- Training room
- Training staff
- Locker room
- Team travel
Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The high grade is especially noteworthy because new leadership took over the Vikings just one year ago. The previous regime was known for prickliness down the stretch of its tenure, so the atmosphere and culture must’ve truly transformed in one offseason.
The NFLPA described the origins of the new report cards, “During the last two years, the board of representatives has discussed ways to improve the information available to free agents making decisions about their prospective clubs and decided to pursue the development of “club report cards” that, while not a scientific survey, would report the quantitative and qualitative opinions of NFL players about their respective clubs.”
“The club report card includes an overview, which is a summary of the players’ responses and opinions about the club workplace and specifically about how players perceived clubs’ commitment to workplace issues,” the NFLPA concluded about its new process.
Sep 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Washington Commanders somehow fetched an F- minus grade, a score most thought was only available via comedy skits and such.
“The questionnaire also sought to elicit the opinion of players on some issues that have a direct impact on the quality of life for NFL players,” according to the survey, so the Vikings evidently care enormously about players within their walls.
The entire NFC North actually faired well. The Chicago Bears were awarded an A grade, the Green Bay Packers a B, and Detroit Lions and B.
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans cheer during the second quarter of a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Other teams with a D or below grade included the Arizona Cardinals (F), Atlanta Falcons (D), Cincinnati Bengals (D), Jacksonville Jaguars (D-), Kansas City Chiefs (D-), Los Angeles Rams (D), and of course, the Commanders with the unthinkable F-.
The reports cards were released just 12 days before NFL free agents can sign with new teams on March 13th, and the news that the Vikings are a class act cannot hurt the team’s wooing abilities.
Under Kevin O’Connell in his first year as head coach, Minnesota won 13 games for the third time in franchise history and the NFC North for the first time in five years.