AFC South: Most surprising takeaways from 2024 NFLPA survey

On Wednesday, the NFL Players Association released its 2024 team report cards, a poll of 1,706 players regarding their daily experience and working conditions. 

Per the NFLPA website, the annual survey is designed to “highlight positive clubs, identify areas that could use improvement and highlight best practices and standards.” 

Below is the most surprising takeaway from the survey for each AFC South team.

Houston Texans: No sauna/steam room in the training room

Most NFL teams have a sauna, a steam room or both at the team facility, so the fact the Texans don’t have one is a bit surprising. 

A sauna provides dry heat and is typically used to help relax and loosen muscle groups after strenuous physical activity. 

A steam room, which is typically at a fixed temperature between 110 and 120 degrees, provides heat generated from boiling water. 

Steam rooms have been known to help reduce inflammation, improve cardiovascular functioning, increase metabolism, reduce stress and revitalize the skin — all areas of importance for professional football players. (Full report)

Indianapolis Colts: Players have subpar training conditions

Colts players graded their training room a B-, their weight room a C and their strength coaches a C. A common theme among each category is the team provides a low quality of standard for each.

Players feel they can’t prepare their bodies properly because there’s not enough equipment and not enough diversity in equipment in their training room. 

They don’t feel the strength coaches are giving them personalized programs tailored to their bodies. They also mentioned that because the training room is understaffed, they often don’t get the necessary treatment needed to perform at their peak. (Full report)

Jacksonville Jaguars: The lack of acceptable childcare

Before the 2023 season, the Jaguars didn’t offer childcare. They added that to the team facility this past season, but the consensus among the players is that it’s not adequate, hence the D- grade. 

Some stated it’s not even worth bringing their kids to the facility. The Jaguars are also one of 12 teams not to offer a family room. (Full report)

Tennessee Titans: Poor travel conditions

The Titans had average or below-average grades in every category except travel conditions, which got an F. 

Titans players must sit in the back of the plane in small seats that they typically don’t fit in while the team’s staff sits in the more accommodating first-class seats. 

That explains why only 63 percent of the players were comfortable with the amount of personal space they have on flights. (Full report)