Lloyd Howell received a public show of support from the NFLPA not long before a growing list of scandals led to his resignation as the union’s executive director. Fellow key official J.C. Tretter departed shortly thereafter, creating two notable vacancies in leadership positions.
Since then, David White has landed the executive director position on an interim basis. The search process for a permanent union leader is expected to begin soon, and White – having been the runner-up to Howell in 2023 – would make for a logical candidate regarding the full-time gig. No one has formally thrown their hat into the ring yet, but two potential candidates for the position have emerged.
Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis is a name to watch on this front, as first reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Interest is indeed in place amongst some players and agents in Revis taking charge of the union, Mark Maske of the Washington Post confirms. The 40-year-old has been retired since 2018.
Over the course of his career, Revis demonstrated a willingness to hold out during contract talks. That is no doubt a factor which would be viewed as a positive from the union’s perspective with respect to CBA talks and other interactions with the league’s owners. Revis’ uncle Sean Gilbert once made a push to unseat DeMaurice Smith as the NFLPA’s executive director. Especially if emphasis is placed on hiring an ex-NFL player for the role, Revis’ interest will be worth monitoring.
Meanwhile, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson notes that Joe Briggs’ name has also come up regarding candidates to replace Howell. Briggs has a lengthy legal background and has worked with the NFLPA by managing its financial programs department and later serving as the union’s public policy counsel; he was also the first person to lead the NFLPA’s government relations department. Briggs is currently a professor at Georgetown University.
NFLPA president Jalen Reeves-Maybin has made it clear representatives from all 32 teams will be involved in the voting process for a new full-time executive director when the time comes. It will be interesting to see if Revis and/or Briggs will be among the finalists to receive consideration.