Texans Earn Strong Marks in NFLPA’s 2026 Player Report Cards, Finish 7th Overall

Before diving into this in-depth analysis, make sure to subscribe to the Houston Stressans newsletter for exclusive Texans content, film breakdowns, and insider analysis straight to your inbox! Don't miss out on the latest updates—sign up today

The Houston Texans continue to build a reputation as one of the NFL’s most player-friendly organizations, finishing 7th overall in the NFL Players Association’s 2026 team report cards — a survey widely viewed as a snapshot of how players perceive their workplace across the league.

ESPN obtained the results of the NFLPA’s annual report cards, which grade franchises from A-plus to F-minus on everything from ownership and coaching to travel conditions and treatment of families.

According to the report:

The survey is based on responses from 1,759 players who were on a 2025 roster at the time. It was conducted from Nov. 2 through Dec. 11.

However, this year’s results come with an unusual backdrop.

Report Cards Withheld From Public Release

The NFLPA did not publish the report cards publicly in 2026 following a grievance from the NFL, which argued the survey violated the collective bargaining agreement by disparaging clubs and individuals. An arbitrator sided with the league.

Despite that ruling, the NFLPA says it will continue collecting player feedback moving forward — even if formal publication remains restricted.

What Players Praised Most About Houston

Houston’s top-10 finish reflects strong marks in areas that directly impact player performance, recovery, and day-to-day life.

The Texans received elite grades across nearly all football operations categories:

• Training Staff — A (Top ranked)

• Training Room — A

• Weight Room — A

• Strength Coaches — A

• Food/Dining Area — A

• Nutritionist/Dietician — A

• Defensive Coordinator — A

• Special Teams Coordinator — A

• Team Ownership — A

  
  

Players cited the organization’s emphasis on health and recovery as one of its greatest strengths. The training infrastructure — including staff expertise and recovery options — was described as “top of the line.”

Houston also ranked first in the league for both food program and nutrition, underscoring the franchise’s investment in fueling players year-round.

Coaching Staff Viewed Extremely Positively

Head coach DeMeco Ryans continues to earn strong support from players, reflected in both the letter grades and detailed feedback scores.

According to reporting from KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, players rated Ryans highly across key leadership categories:

• Respect from players: 9.39 / 10

• Positive culture: 9.47 / 10

• Willingness to take feedback: 9.15 / 10

• Efficiency with players’ time: 9.08 / 10

• Practice regimen contributing to success: 8.888 / 10

• Leadership: 8.59 / 10

The Texans also received strong grades for their coaching structure overall:

• Head Coach — A-

• General Manager — A-

• Offensive Coordinator — A-

• Position Coaches — B+

  
  

Taken together, the scores paint a picture of a locker room that trusts its leadership and feels heard — a critical factor in building long-term stability.

Areas Where Players Want Improvement

Despite the high overall ranking, players identified several areas needing attention.

Home Game Field — C+

This was one of the lowest facility-related grades. While specifics were not detailed, lower field scores across the league often relate to turf quality, surface safety perceptions, or sideline conditions.

Treatment of Families — B-

Players expressed interest in upgrades to family accommodations, particularly:

• Gameday family room

• Post-game family meeting areas

  
  

Family support has become an increasingly important factor in player satisfaction surveys, especially for veterans with spouses and children attending games.

Travel Conditions Rank Relatively Low

Houston’s most notable weakness was team travel.

• Team Travel — B- (19th in NFL)

  
  

Players reported limited personal space and legroom on flights, with some seated in coach while certain staff travel first class.

However, the team still received praise for maintaining strong nutrition and hydration standards on the road — another example of Houston prioritizing player performance even when logistics fall short.

Overall Report Card Breakdown for Texans

Facilities & Support

• Treatment of Families: B-

• Home Game Field: C+

• Food/Dining Area: A

• Nutritionist/Dietician: A

• Locker Room: B+

• Training Room: A

• Weight Room: A

  
  

Coaching & Leadership

• Head Coach: A-

• General Manager: A-

• Offensive Coordinator: A-

• Defensive Coordinator: A

• Special Teams Coordinator: A

• Position Coaches: B+

  
  

Operations

• Team Travel: B-

• Team Ownership: A

  
  

A Reflection of the Texans’ Cultural Reset

Houston’s placement near the top of the league reinforces the organizational transformation that has taken place in recent years.

Under Ryans and GM Nick Caserio, the Texans have emphasized:

• Player-centric culture

• Modern recovery resources

• Strong communication between staff and roster

• Long-term buy-in rather than short-term fixes

  
  

For a franchise that endured several turbulent seasons earlier in the decade, finishing seventh league-wide signals a stable and attractive destination for players — both current and prospective.

Closing Thoughts

The Texans are not perfect in every category, but the overall picture is overwhelmingly positive.

Elite training resources, top-tier nutrition, strong leadership, and a respected culture have positioned Houston as one of the NFL’s better working environments — with travel logistics and family accommodations representing the clearest opportunities for improvement.

If those areas are addressed, the Texans could soon find themselves competing not only for playoff success but for the top spot in future NFLPA report cards as well.