The New Orleans Saints graded well in the NFLPA’s annual report cards, finishing 11th overall based on player responses to a survey about the franchise’s conditions.
The results of the report card were reported by ESPN, weeks after an arbitrator ruled that the players’ union could not publicly release the results of the survey because it violated the NFL-NFLPA’s collective bargaining agreement by “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals.” The arbitrator ruled that the union could still conduct the surveys and compile the grades, but had to keep them private.
The Saints received an A or an A-minus in 10 of the survey’s 17 categories. The team’s training staff, training room, strength coaches and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley earned New Orleans’ highest marks. First-year coach Kellen Moore was also graded positively, earning an A- from players.
New Orleans’ lowest mark, according to ESPN, was its “Home Game Field” — which ranked a C. It saw noticeable improvement for its “Food/Dining Area,” which earned an A- after previously being ranked a D-. In between, the team renovated its cafeteria — though officials had downplayed the survey’s impact on the project.
The Saints’ position coaches and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier were each given B-minuses. General manager Mickey Loomis received a B.
The NFL has long disputed the NFLPA’s surveys, arguing the criteria for formulating the grades hadn’t been properly disclosed.
Still, the Saints’ 11th-place ranking is the team’s second-best since the report card’s inception in 2023. The latest ranking also marked the third straight year in which the franchise climbed the union’s leaderboard, going from 19th to 12th to now 11th. The Saints debuted at 10th on the inaugural version of the report card rankings.
League-wide, the Miami Dolphins finished first this past season, while the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked last.