Buffalo Bills Report Card 2023

Select from the menu in the top left to see a breakdown of this team's grade by topic.

To see all team's ratings, click here.

Overview

The Buffalo Bills were ranked 9^th overall in our team guide. The player respondents hold their staff in high regard. The complaints of some respondents center mostly around wanting to hire more staff to support the quality people that they already have there. For example, the nutritionist/dietician splits time between their hockey team (Sabres) and the Bills. Player respondents would like more trainers and physical therapists (PTs) in the training room to support the existing quality staff.

At the top levels of the organization, the players enjoy playing for head coach Sean McDermott, and 100% of respondents believed the current ownership, the Pegula family, was willing to invest money into upgrading the facility.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 5th

• They offer a family room and daycare

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 9th

Quality of food: Ranked 20th

• All three meals provided
• The team nutritionist/dietician works for both the Sabres and the Bills, which players believe limits the amount of time she can be focused on the players in the Bills locker room.

94% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

The players think they have one of the best weight rooms in the NFL.

• 100% feel they have enough strength coaches

The players feel that the strength coaches go above and beyond to support them and add to their success.

• 96% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Tied for 12th)

Staffing

• 81% feel they have enough ATCs (8^th worst in the league)
• 72% feel they have enough PTs (8^th worst in the league)

Steam Room/Sauna

• There is a steam room (98% feel it is big enough)
• There is a sauna (98% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

• 96% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
• 98% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

The players feel that their trainers significantly add to their individual success.

The players feel like they have a good overall locker room.

• 92% of players feel like they have enough space
  

• 64% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• One of just 6 teams that make their young players have roommates
• Good amount of first-class seats offered to players

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.

In connection with that goal, questions were sent to every player on the 2022 team rosters asking them their opinions about their Club’s facilities, certain Club personnel/coaches, and other work-related categories, such as Club’s treatment of families and team travel (players were not asked questions about any Club other than their 2022 employer). As a result of the confidential questionnaire, 1,300 players responded. There then was a qualitative follow up by the union, which resulted in the following “report card.”

The questions called for both quantitative and qualitative answers; for example: “Grade your weight room with 1 reflecting best rating, 5 reflecting lowest rating” and “What would you change about your weight room?” The numerical ratings for each sub-category of questions were tallied and averaged. 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. These qualitative responses, which are inherently subjective, were reviewed and evaluated by the union and then factored into providing an overall rating that was intended to reflect player opinions.

Based upon all of this information, the rankings from Club to Club were determined by comparing how each Club graded in each category.

Finally, 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.