Commanders ace NFLPA report card after back-to-back years with worst grades

The culture is changing for the Washington Commanders, according to the players in the building. After back-to-back years as the worst-ranked franchise in the league, owner Josh Harris’ franchise surged to the 11th-best in this year’s NFL Players Association report cards.

The players union released the annual report on Tuesday, which asked 1,695 players to grade their teams’ owner, coach, nutritionists, trainers, food, strength program, locker rooms, travel accommodations, and treatment of families.

After years as a bottom-tier franchise, Washington players gave the Commanders high marks in several areas.

“Key to the turnaround was the hiring of Dan Quinn, who finished the season as the No. 1 ranked head coach across the league,” the NFLPA wrote in its report. “When asked what the team does best, the most consistent response is clear: they are positively changing the culture — and it shows both in the survey results and on the field.”

The franchise’s strength and conditioning coaches received an A for the second consecutive year, while players noted progress in several areas.

The travel amenities surged from an F to an A with 95% of players saying they had a comfortable amount of personal space when traveling to away games. The food program also surged from a D+ to a B+.

Several players, according to the NFLPA, singled out the improved treatment of families. After receiving a league-worst F- last year, the Commanders started offering day care during home games. Their grade rose to a respectable B+.

Harris has room for improvement this offseason, though. The team’s locker rooms still received an F from players, who said the Ashburn practice facility is old and needs a major facelift.

“We’re going to do a lot of things in the offseason to make player’s lives better, coaches’ lives better. Whether it’s the wet area, the weight room, our indoor facility, you’re going to see a lot of changes here,” Harris said earlier this month. “We’re focused on fixing this place up.”