The NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) first NFL Player Team Report Cards were revealed on Wednesday and show that the Jacksonville Jaguars have a rat problem.
In the new survey, players rated their teams on eight different factors, ranging from the quality of food and team facilities to staff, to travel accommodations and treatment of their families. There were 1,300 players who participated in the survey.
While there were some somewhat surprising results — such as Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy being ranked among the “most well-liked” leaders, but one of the most head-turning revelations was what apparently transpired in the Jaguars locker room last season.
“The Jacksonville Jaguars ranked as the 28th best team in our team guide. As one of the worst ranked franchises in the league, there was no shortage of complaints shared by the player respondents,” the survey said. “When asked what the number one thing they want changed at their facility, the answer was unanimous — get rid of the rats! Players reported that for 3-4 weeks this season, there was a rat infestation in the locker room and laundry hampers.”
Unsurprisingly, Jacksonville received a D- in the “Locker Room” category, which was tied for 28th. While the Jaguars were graded highly in the “Training Staff” (A), “Strength Coaches” (A-) and “Team Travel” (B) categories, they also received a D+ in the “Weight Room” category, D for “Food Service/Nutrition,” D- for “Training Room” and F for “Treatment of Families.”
Despite the low overall grades, first-year head coach Doug Pederson’s crew didn’t seem to let the less-than-ideal conditions impact them on the field. The Jaguars were one of the biggest, pleasant surprises in the NFL during the 2022 campaign, ending the regular season on a five-game winning streak to capture the AFC South at 9-8.
Jacksonville then pulled off a mini upset in the AFC wild-card round against the Los Angeles Chargers (completing one of the biggest comebacks in postseason history), before falling to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs the following week.
With rising star Trevor Lawrence under center, young 1,000-yard rusher Travis Etienne leading the backfield and a handful of dangerous aerial weapons like Christian Kirk, Evan Engram and Zay Jones (plus the pending return of suspended wideout Calvin Ridley), the Jaguars should be in good shape in 2023, as long as they get rid of the rats.
