Minnesota Vikings Report Card 2023

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Overview

The Minnesota Vikings are ranked as the best team in our guide. 100% of the players feel like owner Zygi Wilf is willing to spend money to upgrade the facilities, and that assessment makes sense since the Vikings have gone through three significant upgrades in recent years.

Their facility was recently built and is considered state-of-the-art. This past year, they replaced former head coach Mike Zimmer with Kevin O’Connell, who through his first year is regarded as one of the most player-friendly head coaches. Additionally, the former head trainer, who several players had negative experiences with, moved on from the organization. The Minnesota Vikings are a shining example of what is possible when a concerted investment is made in both staffing and facilities.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 7th

• They offer a family room and daycare

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 2nd

Quality of food: Ranked 9th

• All three meals provided

100% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

The weight room is new and players are happy with it.

• 98% 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.

• 100% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Tied for 1^st)

Staffing

• 95% feel they have enough ATCs
• 92% feel they have enough PTs

Steam Room/Sauna

• There is a steam room (100% feel it is big enough)
• There is a sauna (100% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

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

The players feel that the new training staff goes above and beyond to support them and add to their success. It was a welcome change from the previous regime.

There are no complaints regarding their new locker room.

• 100% of players feel like they have enough space (Ranked 1st)

The players like the logistics of their team travel.

• 95% 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.