Broncos can improve harsh NFLPA grades in 2026

USA Today

28-02-2025

Broncos can improve harsh NFLPA grades in 2026
Get that new training facility built, quickly!
The NFL Players Association released their annual Team Report Cards earlier this week and the Denver Broncos ended up ranked 17th out of 32 teams. For those keeping track, that's one spot lower than Denver's No. 16 rank last year.
Let's start with the good news: ownership received an "A" grade as "Greg Penner's average rating for perceived willingness to invest in the facilities is 9.62 out of 10 from the Broncos players," which ranked Penner fourth out of the NFL's 32 owners.
Denver also received an "A" grade for team travel and their nutritionist/dietician rating is "A-."
The team's strength coaches received a "B" grade and the training staff received a "B+." The food/dining area also received a "B+."
Somewhat surprisingly, coach Sean Payton only received a "B" grade as players said he is "moderately receptive to locker room feedback on the team's needs," ranking him 29th.
The weight room and training room received "B" grades, but both areas will be updated when the team completes its new training facility.
Now, the bad news. Despite building a new family room at the stadium, the Broncos still received a "C-" grade for treatment of families. "Players would like the post-game family area to be indoors so families, especially those with young children, can avoid hot and cold weather extremes in Denver," according to the NFLPA's website.
The locker room at the team's facility received an "F." Only 56% of players "feel they have enough room in their individual lockers," which ranked 29th, and only 42% of players "feel the locker room size is adequate," which ranked 30th.
The locker room will also be updated with the new facility. Expect the team to rank much higher in 2026 after construction has been completed at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit.