INDIANAPOLIS – The players have spoken, and it’s a mixed bag regarding the Indianapolis Colts and the workplace environment they’ve created.
According to the NFLPA’s second annual Club Report Cards report which was disseminated last week at the NFL Scouting Combine, the Colts rank No. 22 in an anonymous player-driven survey that takes into account ownership, coaching, facilities, travel, meals and family care.
They rank highest with head coach Shane Steichen (9th with an A-) and the locker room (11th/B), and lowest in strength coaches (29th/C), weight room (26th/C), travel (26th/D) and ownership (26th/C).
The Colts ranked 16th last year.
Union president JC Tretter revealed that 1,706 players participated in the survey – roughly 77% of the membership – which was up from 1,300 last year.
“One of our core jobs as a union is to improve the overall working conditions for our players, which includes the daily experience of players at the team facilities away from the lights and cameras,’’ the NFLPA posted on its website. “Our goals were to highlight positive clubs, identify areas that could use improvement, and highlight best practices and standards.’’
Colts general manager Chris Ballard admitted last week he pays attention to the report card.
“We do a lot with our players internally anyway and ask for their feedback,’’ he said. “What I would tell you is there are some things I would probably debate with them, but we pay attention to it.
“Do I take it 100% to credence? No. But there will be questions asked and we’ll get feedback. I’ll tell you this: I don’t know many players who have been with us who don’t want to be back. There’s always things you can get better at.’’
The top 10 teams in the survey: Miami, Minnesota, Green Bay, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Houston, New York Giants, Las Vegas and Chicago.
The bottom 10: Washington (No. 32), Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, New England, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
It’s worth nothing the Washington Commanders were voted worst for a second straight year.
A breakdown of the areas on the survey with a summation of player input or how the Colts rank relative to other teams, according to the NFLPA.
Treatment of families
- Grade: C.
- League ranking: 23rd.
- They provide a family room at the stadium on game day.
- They are one of seven teams that do not provide daycare support for players’ children on gameday.
- Players’ top request is for the team to offer daycare on game day like most other teams across the league.
Food/cafeteria
- Grade: C.
- Ranking: 22nd.
- They rank 20th overall in food taste.
- They rank 24th overall in food freshness.
Nutritionist/Dietician
- Grade: B-.
- Ranking: 18th.
- 85% of players feel they get an individualized plan (17th overall).
Locker room
- Grade: B.
- Ranking: 11th.
- 97% of players feel the locker room is big enough (9th overall).
- 96% feel they have enough room in their individual lockers (5th overall).
Training staff
- Grade: B-.
- Ranking: 16th.
- 76% of players feel they have enough full-time trainers (29th overall).
- 70% of players feel they have enough full-time physical therapists (27th overall).
- 96% of players feel they have enough hot tub space (11th overall).
- 96% of players feel they have enough cold tub space (9th overall).
- The players feel that the training room is extremely understaffed. They feel they can’t get the necessary amount of treatment to be prepared to play at the highest level.
- Some players also want the team to add a sauna, which most teams offer across the league.
Training room
- Grade: B-.
- Ranking: 23rd.
- 83% of players feel they receive enough one-on-one treatment (21st overall).
- The players feel that the training staff moderately contributes to their success (23rd overall).
Weight room
- Grade: C.
- Ranking: 26th.
- The players feel that they only have average-quality equipment in their weight room (25th overall).
- The players do not think that they have enough space in their weight room (24th overall).
- The players feel like they do not have the right variety and enough equipment for all players to prepare their bodies.
Strength coaches
- Grade: C.
- Ranking: 29th.
- 77% of players feel they get an individualized plan (29th overall).
- The players feel that the strength coaches moderately contribute to their success (28th overall).
- The players’ biggest complaint is that they do not feel like they are getting up-to-date, personalized training.
Team travel
- Grade: D.
- Ranking: 26th.
- Only 47% of the players feel they have a comfortable amount of personal space during flights (31st overall).
- The Colts do not require any players to have roommates before games.
- The players complain of a cramped plane, where the staff gets priority to sit in the larger seats while the players squeeze into the smaller seats.
Head coach
- Grade: A-.
- Ranking: 18th.
- 94% of players feel head coach Shane Steichen is efficient with their time (12th overall).
- The players feel that Shane Steichen is somewhat willing to listen to the locker room (20th overall).
Ownership
- Grade: C.
- Ranking: 26th.
- Owner Jim Irsay receives a rating of 7.4/10 from Colts players when considering his willingness to invest in the facilities (26th overall).
You can follow Mike Chappell on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @mchappell51.