The grades are in for the Patriots.
Once again, they aren’t pretty.
The Patriots ranked 26th out of 32 franchises, according to a copy of their 2026 NFL Players Association report card obtained by the Herald’s Doug Kyed.
The report card, which grades teams based on the results of more than 1,700 player surveys taken around the NFL, rates the Patriots’ travel, weight room, training room and cafeteria among the worst in the league. Overall, though, the Patriots made improvement from a year ago when they graded out as the second-worst franchise in the NFL.
From the team’s report card: “While the team has consistently ranked among the lowest in the league, players note signs of progress. A new facility is scheduled to open for the 2026 season, which is expected to address the team’s current facility shortcomings, including bottom-5 ratings for the weight room, training room and practice fields.
“The Patriots’ travel remains a significant concern. The team airplane ranks last in the league, with players citing outdated conditions, lack of Wi-Fi and insufficient space, with one player describing the plane as feeling ‘borderline unsafe.’ Players also report ongoing issues with the food program, which receives low scores for quality, variety, and nutritional value due to reliance on offsite-meal preparation.”
The Patriots received higher marks this year for treatment of families and coaching, with players crediting first-year coach Mike Vrabel for establishing a better culture.
Here are the Patriots’ full grades and rankings in each category:
Treatment of families: B, 12th
Food/Dining area: D+, 29th
Nutritionist/Dietician: B, 26th
Locker room: C-, 21st
Training room: C-, 28th
Training staff: B, 24th
Weight room: C-, 31st
Strength coaches: A-, 24th
Team travel: F, 30th
Head coach: A, 8th
Ownership: B-, 24th
Position coaches: B-, 28th
Offensive coordinator: A, 3rd
Defensive coordinator: B, 23rd
Special teams coordinator: B+, 24th
General manager: B+, 22nd
Home game field: D, 22nd
Vrabel was praised specifically for his efficiency and willingness to take feedback from players. He also graded top-10 in practice organization and player development.
The NFLPA introduced specific assistant coach ratings for the first time this year. Josh McDaniels received by far the highest marks among his colleagues.
Year-to-year, ownership jumped from a D to a B-, though the Krafts still finished bottom-10 by willingness to invest in the facilities. The Patriots’ team food and dining fell to a D+ from a C, while the strength coaches jumped to an A- from a B after some personnel changes last year. Compared to other GMs, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf received bottom-10 marks for player development and treatment of players when injured or needing support, though his overall ratings cleared an 8.5 out of 10.
The Dolphins’ working conditions ranked No. 1 in the NFL, followed by the Vikings and Commanders. The Steelers fell to 32nd for the first time in the four-year history of the survey.
The NFLPA did not publish the report cards public this year after the NFL filed a grievance, claiming the survey violated the collective bargaining agreement. After an arbitrator sided with the league, the NFLPA was allowed to continue collecting responses but prohbited from making them public.
