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The NFL filed a grievance against the NFLPA on Monday, alleging that the union encouraged players to fake injuries as a negotiating tactic. The NFL announced the move through a memo that mentioned NFLPA president J.C. Tretter.
“Beginning this past summer and continuing through training camp, NFL Players Association leadership, including President JC Tretter, have become increasingly vocal in advising NFL players dissatisfied with their current contracts to consider feigning or exaggerating injuries to withhold service as a way to increase their leverage in contract negotiations,” the memo reads.
During this offseason, negotiations for running backs became contentious. All-Pros Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor were unable to secure long-term contracts. Barkley and Jacobs eventually signed one-year deals after being placed on the franchise tag, while Taylor was sidelined on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in the final year of his rookie contract.
Other running backs, such as Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry, voiced their support for fellow players. They convened in a Zoom meeting to discuss ways to secure long-term deals.
The NFL’s memo mentioned the running back meeting, saying, “We have become aware of a formal Zoom hosted by the NFLPA with certain NFL running backs in which this advice was conveyed.”
The memo explained that this behavior goes against the union’s pledge to uphold the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules. It labels the union’s actions as reckless because players who follow this advice could be subject to disciplinary actions and financial penalties outlined in the CBA, club rules or their individual player contracts.
The NFLPA responded to the memo with a brief explanation, saying, “This is ridiculous and without merit.”
Creating leverage in contract negotiations
Tretter discussed the importance of creating leverage in contract negotiations on the Ross Tucker Podcast in July.
He mentioned that situations like the franchise tag or restricted movement can reduce a player’s leverage. However, players must find creative ways to build leverage elsewhere.
“I think we’ve seen issues — now, I don’t think anybody would ever say there were fake injuries — but we’ve seen players who didn’t want to be where they currently are have injuries that made them unable to practice and play. But you’re not able to get fined, and you’re not able to be punished for not reporting,” Tretter said.
