Chicago Bears Report Card 2023

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Overview

The Chicago Bears were ranked 13^th overall in the team surveys. The Club completed a major renovation to their practice facilities less than 5 years ago, and the players seem happy with the facility.

The complaints expressed by player respondents focused more on the treatment of the players and their families. Also, both the quality of the food and the timing of the meals were flagged as issues. While players’ opinions of the coaching staff in Chicago are generally positive, one major problem identified was the overall tempo and intensity of offseason workouts, which was reflected in an actual violation and punishment last offseason.

Bears ownership ranks 25^th when respondents were asked if they believe ownership is willing to spend money to upgrade their facilities (76%), despite being in a relatively new facility.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 25th

• They offer a family room
• One of 11 teams that do not offer daycare
• Players feel like they provide the bare minimum to say they do things for the families, but they do not actually try to take care of them

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 23rd

Quality of food: Ranked 22nd

• Complaints come from the timing of the meals and the quality/healthiness of the food before practice
• All three meals provided

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

The players feel like they have one of the best weight rooms in the league.

• 100% feel they have enough strength coaches

• The players feel like the strength staff significantly adds to their success. Most teams rated their strength staffs well, which is why they are tied for 17^th but still receive a very high grade.
• 100% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Ranked 1st)

Staffing

• 97% feel they have enough ATCs
• 97% feel they have enough PTs

Steam Room/Sauna

• There is a steam room (94% feel it is big enough)
• There is a sauna (97% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

• 100% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
• 100% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

• The players feel like the training staff significantly adds to their success. Most teams rated their training staffs well, which is why they are tied for 15^th but still receive a very high grade.

The players feel they have a high-end locker room.

• 97% of players feel like they have enough space (Ranked 7th)

• 78% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• No roommates
• One of 7 teams that do not offer first-class seats to their 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.