Cincinnati Bengals Report Card 2023

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Overview

The Cincinnati Bengals are ranked 27^th in our team guide. The staff itself is well liked, and players credit head coach Zac Taylor for recent improvements that have been made – which speaks to why he grades out as one of the most well-liked coaches in the NFL by his players. However, the facilities and resources offered are ranked far below average.

The Bengals are one of three teams that do not provide dinner to their players; they are also one of two teams that do not provide vitamins, and they are the only team that doesn’t provide supplements. Additionally, players feel that they have some of the smallest hot/cold tubs in the league; they have issues with the showers and toilets not consistently working, and they are the only team that does not have outlets in their lockers to charge devices.

The players who responded to the survey also complained that there is nowhere warm and safe for mothers and kids to go during the game because the Bengals do not provide a family room, unlike the majority of teams. Players reported that wives have sat on the public restroom floor to nurse their babies.

These examples are consistent with players’ opinions, with only 44% of respondents believing club owner Mike Brown is willing to spend money to make the facility better, ranking him tied for 29^th in this category.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 30th

• One of 14 teams that do not offer a family room
• One of 11 teams that do not offer daycare

Players report that there is nowhere safe and warm for mothers and children to go during the game, and that breastfeeding mothers have sat on the public restroom floor to nurse their babies.

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 29th

Quality of food: Ranked 31st

• One of 3 teams in the NFL that doesn't provide dinner to players
• One of only 2 teams to not provide vitamins to players
• The only team that doesn't provide supplements to players

71% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

Players report that they are encouraged to come in on their off days to work out and prepare for the game; however, the cafeteria is not open on those days, so players can’t even grab a banana before working out.

The weight room is viewed by the players as above average.

• 100% of players feel they have enough strength coaches

Players feel that the strength coaches significantly add to their success.

• 98% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Tied for 7th)
  

Staffing

• 91% feel they have enough ATCs
• 79% feel they have enough PTs

Steam Room/Sauna

• There is a steam room (89% feel it is big enough)
• There is a sauna (91% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

• 23% of players feel they have enough hot tub space (Ranked 31^st)
• 53% of players feel they have enough cold tub space (Ranked 27^th)

Players feel that the training staff significantly adds to their success.

94% of players feel like they have enough space, but players feel that the locker room desperately needs to be renovated.

• Many showers and toilets do not work
• Lockers do not have outlets for players to charge devices

• 80% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• No roommates
• Good amount of first-class seats

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.