Dolphins reportedly rank first, Steelers last in 2026 NFL players union surveys

The Miami Dolphins have extended their streak of ranking first in player satisfaction from the NFL Players Association's annual player survey reports, according to an ESPN report.

Players have been surveyed for the past four years and grade NFL teams are graded in several categories, including coaches and ownership, locker room condition, food and nutrition, weight room, training staff, treatment of families and travel accommodations. Grades range from A+ to F- and each team is ranked from 1 to 32 in each category. 

"Players consistently describe the organization as 'the best in the NFL,'" the survey said of the Dolphins in the survey, results that ESPN procured. 

Also repeating at the top of the rankings behind the Dolphins are the Minnesota Vikings at second. The Washington Commanders moved up from 11th in 2025 to third this year. 

Ranking last in this year's rankings are the Pittsburgh Steelers, dropping from 28th a year ago. 

Just above Pittsburgh among the bottom are the Arizona Cardinals at 31 and Cleveland Browns at 30. (The Cardinals were last in 2025.) 

"[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers' poor facility ratings across the board," according to the survey results. The Steelers' locker room received an F grade, complaining that "only five stalls are available for the entire team." 

The Steelers also graded last in "home field," a new category added to this year's survey. 

"Players cite inadequate maintenance and excessive wear from hosting local college and high school games," said the survey results. "Players across the league note the poor condition of the field and emphasize the need for investment to bring it up to standard."

Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium hosts University of Pittsburgh football games, in addition to local high school games. 

Additionally, the Steelers' training room and strength coaches ranked poorly. However, the team's training staff ranked first among NFL teams.

Unlike the previous three years of the survey, the NFLPA did not release team report cards publicly after the NFL won a grievance arguing that the surveys violated the collective bargaining agreement by "disparaging clubs and individuals." 

Responding to the ruling by an arbitrator, the union said the surveys were "not going away." An NFL spokesperson told ESPN that the league had no knowledge of the survey results this year. 

New York Jets team owner Woody Johnson was outspoken against the NFLPA report cards after his team ranked 29th last year. He argued that the surveys violated the agreement between teams and players and questioned whether the results were an accurate representation of player opinions. Those were the arguments the NFL made in its grievance against the players' union.