Every season, the NFLPA conducts a survey to gauge how players rate their experiences with their respective organization. The survey covers a wide array of topics, from treatment of families, to training staffs, locker and training rooms, and even grades for the head coach and owner.
Last year, the Falcons finished towards the bottom of the league, with the locker room, weight room, and strength coaches all receiving failing grades. That led to owner Arthur Blank taking initiative and spending millions on brand new facilities, and the results reflected that in this year’s NFLPA report card.
After finishing 25th in the league a year ago, the Falcons jumped up to 3rd in 2025. In no category did Atlanta finish with a grade below a B, with the weight and locker rooms experiencing the most drastic change, going from failing grades to an A+. Raheem Morris and Arthur Blank also received grades of an A+, with Morris ranking second among head coaches and Blank ranking third among owners.
This all really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Blank deserves a fair share of the blame for the Falcons struggles on the field, but it’s not because he doesn’t care. His desire to win and love for his players is actually his biggest fault in a business as cutthroat as the NFL, where it’s better to be a year early than a year late. Blank treats his players like his family and wants their families to feel like they are part of the organization as well. So, when he heard things weren’t up to par, he put his money up to fix them. That’s an owner any player should want to play for.
As far as Raheem Morris, he’s one of the most likable figures in the NFL. When the Falcons hired him, it came with an overwhelming amount of praise from every coach, player, and GM that’s had the pleasure of working with him. He’s an extremely likable guy that players love to play for; that’s an inarguable fact. Both Morris and Blank have that trait in spades.
Unfortunately, likability isn’t the primary factor in winning in the NFL, but it should help the Falcons when recruiting free agents in the future, especially if Michael Penix Jr. can take the next step in 2025.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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