Kansas City Chiefs Report Card 2023

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Overview

The Kansas City Chiefs are ranked 29th overall in our team guide. In general, the results show that the facility feels outdated and players would like to see upgrades across the board. Only 56% of respondents believe that club owner Clark Hunt is willing to invest the money to upgrade the facility, ranking him 27^th in this category.

Players’ responses showed that treatment of players also falls well below other clubs across the NFL. For example, the Chiefs are one of 6 teams that still make certain players have roommates, and less than 50% of players feel they have enough room to be comfortable on flights.

Feedback on the training room was also notable; player respondents called for a more welcoming environment, and several players had negative opinions about head trainer Rick Burkholder, feeling that he does not treat players fairly and consistently, or with personal care.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 16th

• They offer a family room
• They are one of 11 teams that do not offer daycare

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 13th

Quality of food: Ranked 15th

• All three meals provided

Only 50% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

The weight room is seen as slightly below average compared to the other teams. Players would like it to be updated with more and newer equipment.

• 97% feel they have enough strength coaches

When asked about “Strength Coaches adding to their success” they ranked 17th in the NFL. 17th sounds average but that is because most teams rated their strength coaches positively. The Chiefs players gave overall high marks to the strength staff which is why the overall grade is still high.

• 94% of players believe they receive an individual plan (17th)

Staffing

• 77% feel they have enough ATCs (4^th worst in the league)
• 61% feel they have enough PTs (4^th worst in the league)

Steam Room/Sauna

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

Tubs

• 78% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
• 81% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

Rated the lowest among training staffs across the NFL.

Responses to the survey called for things like “a more welcoming environment.”

• With the lowest rating and concerning qualitative responses, we learned that players’ key concerns are with head trainer Rick Burkholder (not the rest of the training staff, which is generally well liked).
• Player respondents expressed beliefs/opinions that:
  • They feel discouraged from reporting their injuries
  • They do not feel they get the level of personal care that they should
  • They fear retribution for speaking up for better care

73% of players feel like they have enough personal space.

• The lockers are old and in desperate need of a renovation.
• Many players complain that they want to have a chair at their locker instead of a stool so they can lean back when sitting.

• 59% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• One of 6 teams that makes young players have roommates
• Very few 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.