The Kansas City Chiefs are emerging as the next NFL dynasty with two Super Bowl rings and five consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances since Patrick Mahomes became the starter. However, the treatment of the players who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy seems to be a major problem.
When the NFL Players Association released its first-ever team report cards, it showed how all 32 teams are viewed with more than 1,200 players across the league filling out responses on the working conditions inside their team facility. From the treatments of their families to the conditions of the facility and how coaches treated players, everything was reviewed and graded.
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Despite playing in three Super Bowls in the last four seasons, the Chiefs’ organization itself came under fire from players. Kansas City ranked 29th in the NFL for team ratings, only slightly better than clubs like the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders.
While the organization’s coaching staff and strength coaches received positive reviews, the treatment players received from the medical staff, the facilities at Chiefs’ headquarters and the travel experience all reflect poorly on the organization.
Playing at Arrowhead Stadium, which opened in 1972, players explained how old the locker room feels. The Chiefs still only put stools in the locker rooms, rather than chairs to provide the athletes with more comfort. With limited space and fewer amenities, the Chiefs’ locker room ranked 28th.
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The travel experience is even worse from the players’ perspective. Receiving an ‘F’ grade, Chiefs’ players raised complaints about the lack of first-class seating. Furthermore, Kansas City is one of just six teams that require young players to have roommates and 41% of respondents said they didn’t have enough room to spread out on the plane
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While first-class seats and legroom on flights are viewed as a luxury for a majority of NFL fans, it’s standard in the NFL. Franchises worth billions of dollars want to ensure that athletes playing football can rest as much as possible when they’re not on the field.
However, the most alarming issue with the Chiefs’ organization is head trainer Rick Burkholder. The team’s training staff received the lowest grade (D-) in the NFL and players told the union that it was largely because of Burkholder.
With the Chiefs’ organization for the last decade, players shared their feeling that they are discouraged from reporting injuries and must play through pain. Of equal concern, many said they feared retribution from Burkholder if they sought better and more professional care elsewhere.
It’s especially worrisome for an organization that has a history of letting its staff get away with things. Court documents in 2022 revealed that former assistant coach Britt Reid drank at the Chiefs’ facility moments before the crash that seriously injured a 5-year-old girl.
All of it raises significant questions about the entire organization. While upgrading facilities is one easy way to improve how players feel about the franchise, the other claims paired with the team’s history raise questions about what is being tolerated in Kansas City.