Poll: Who Will Win Saints’ QB Competition?
Speculation about Derek Carr’s Saints future came to an end when he elected to retire in lieu of undergoing shoulder surgery. The procedure would have kept him from playing in New Orleans (or elsewhere) in 2025, so the four-time Pro Bowler brought his career to an end and began the team’s next era under center. 
Carr handled starting duties for a pair of campaigns with the Saints after his Raiders tenure came to a close. The arrival of new head coach Kellen Moore brought about questions regarding a departure, but that is of course a moot point now. This year’s training camp will see Moore and his staff evaluate New Orleans’ four remaining signal-callers to determine the pecking order.
That quartet includes undrafted free agent Hunter Dekkers. Like in essentially any case regarding UDFAs, he profiles as a practice squad candidate once roster cuts are made at the end of the summer. The Saints’ other three quarterbacks – Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener – are positioned to battle for the starting gig.
In the wake of the Carr retirement, Moore left the door open to a veteran addition under center. None came about during the late stages of free agency, though, so the Shough-Rattler-Haener trio is set to take part in an open competition. New Orleans has drafted a quarterback during each of the past three years, leaving each contender short on experience.
Shough emerged as a name to watch for the Saints during the pre-draft process as the team sought out a Carr successor capable of playing as early as this year. Entering the league as a 25-year-old, he certainly profiles as a candidate to see the field early at the NFL level. Over the course of his seven years in college, however, Shough only had one full campaign as a starter.
The Oregon/Texas Tech/Louisville product dealt with a number of injuries before managing to remain healthy for a full campaign in 2024. Shough’s size and arm strength made him an intriguing option in this year’s quarterback class, one which is not held in high regard compared to next year’s. Nevertheless, New Orleans could turn to him right away in a bid to evaluate his candidacy as a long-term answer under center.
2025 has seen a notable uptick in guaranteed compensation for second-round rookies. Shough, taken 40th overall, was a figure to watch as he joined the players selected around him in seeking a fully guaranteed pact. He recently succeeded in doing so, securing a favorable structure in terms of the payment schedule. That commitment does not ensure Shough will begin his career atop the depth chart, of course, but it illustrates how he will be a member of New Orleans’ QB setup for years to come.
Rattler fell to the fifth round of his draft class despite being the first signal-caller selected after the six first-rounders in 2024 came off the board. The Oklahoma and South Carolina product saw time after Carr was injured, recording a total of six starts. The Saints lost each of those contests while dealing with a number of other absences and ultimately finishing out the campaign under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. Rattler reached 240 passing yards only twice during his time as a starter, and he threw more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four).
Expectations are certainly muted entering Year 2 as a result, although Rattler, 24, represents at least an affordable backup option for the remainder of his rookie contract. The arrival of Moore as head coach will offer him a fresh start after last year’s poor showing. A stretch with better health up front and at the receiver position could allow for a better evaluation of Rattler’s ceiling in the NFL. Whether or not he is capable of handling starting duties will be determined to a large extent in 2025, and training camp and the preseason will be key in Rattler’s assessment. 
Haener did not see the field during his rookie campaign, one which included a PED suspension. The 26-year-old made one start after Carr’s injury last season, a one-point loss despite his 49 passing yards on four completions. If Moore and Co. keep Haener behind Rattler in the pecking order, the QB2 spot is the best-case scenario for the Washington/Fresno State alum.
Winning the starting gig is certainly a possibility entering camp, but Haener is also candidate to operate as the Saints’ emergency third quarterback if Shough and Rattler are still healthy by Week 1. It will be interesting to see if he can alter the depth chart based on how it stood during his first two NFL seasons.
How do you think New Orleans’ competition will play out? Vote in PFR’s latest poll on who you think will emerge as the team’s Week 1 starter and have your say in the comments section below.
J.C. Tretter To Resign From NFLPA
Instead of being a candidate to replace Lloyd Howell as the NFLPA’s executive director, J.C. Tretter will instead step aside from the union. The former NFLPA president said in an interview with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones he will resign. 
“Over the last couple days, it has gotten very, very hard for my family. And that’s something I can’t deal with,” Tretter said. “So, the short bullet points are: I have no interest in being [executive director]. I have no interest in being considered; I’ve let the executive committee know that. I’m also going to leave the NFLPA in the coming days because I don’t have anything left to give the organization.”
Howell received backing from the NFLPA before, days later, deciding to step down. Tretter – who was a key figure in the Howell hire and the union’s actions during his tenure at the helm – has also emerged as the source of backlash with a number of revelations being made about his conduct. Currently the union’s chief strategy officer, Tretter was among the names listed as potential Howell replacements on an interim basis. Shortly after a meeting of player reps and the executive committee, however, things have changed.
“I love the guys [in the union], and that’s why I’ve done what I’ve done for the last six years is because I love what they do and who they are and the mission of the organization,” the 34-year-old added, noting he did not conceive a ploy to usurp Howell as the executive director. “And I think what I realized this morning when I woke up… is that I fell in love with the idea of what this place could be. And over the last six weeks, I’ve realized what this place is, and the delta between those two things.”
Tretter’s interview contains details about the process by which Howell was hired in 2023. A shift to a more streamlined vetting and interview process resulted in a hire shrouded in secrecy compared to previous ones. Tretter also noted the NFLPA’s executive voted 10-1 against Howell (with his vote being one of the 10) in a straw poll but decided not to mention it to the union’s general membership. Brought in with the hopes of leading the way through CBA talks, Howell’s tenure came to an abrupt end after revelations about his role in keeping collusion grievance findings hidden as well as conflict of interest concerns. Tretter’s connections to Howell (and thus the scandals) made him a target for scrutiny over the past few days.
Tretter expressed regret during the interview about his remarks made about Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson with respect his lack of a fully guaranteed contract. The former NFL center also offered an apology for his comments suggesting running backs could feign injury as a negotiating tactic. That spurred a grievance against the NFLPA which the league won and which resulted in the union firing the arbitrator involved in the case.
In a sign of the growing consternation over his presence in the organization, Tretter added he feels many of the “attacks” he has received in recent weeks have come from within the NFLPA. With the union seeking a new leader, Tretter will not take part in the search process nor will he stay on in any capacity.
5 Key Stories: 7/13/25 – 7/20/25
As players begin reporting to training camp, activity has picked up around the league. A number of contract situations remain unresolved at this point, but several have been taken care of in time for summer practices. In case you missed any of this week’s top developments, here is a quick recap:
- Steelers Extend Watt: After T.J. Watt skipped minicamp in June, it appeared he could be on course to engage in a training camp hold-in like he did during extension talks with the Steelers in 2021. That will not be the case this time around, however, as team and player agreed to a three-year, $123MM deal. The pact keeps Watt in place through 2028 and carries an AAV of $41MM, which is the new watermark for non-quarterbacks. Once again, the former Defensive Player of the Year holds the title of top earner outside the QB spot (for now, at least) and with $108MM fully guaranteed his Pittsburgh tenure is assured for the foreseeable future.
- Wilson, Gardner Ink New Jets Deals: The new Jets regime was clear this spring that extending receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner was a priority; in consecutive days, both deals were taken care of. Wilson secured $130MM (including $90MM in total guarantees) on a deal which has him under contract for the next six years counting the term remaining on his rookie pact. His $32.5MM AAV ranks fifth amongst receivers. Gardner, meanwhile, also signed a four-year extension and his average annual value of $30.1MM represents a new benchmark for corners. The two-time first-team All-Pro fell just short of Derek Stingley Jr. in terms of total guarantees with $85.65MM but he joins Wilson as a foundational player for New York through the remainder of his 20s.
- Smith, Karlaftis Land Chiefs Extensions: Hours before the deadline to do so, the Chiefs finalized a long-term deal with franchise tag recipient Trey Smith. The four-year extension is worth $94MM, and his AAV of $23.5MM has reset the guard market. While Smith, 26, secured less in full guarantees ($46.75MM) than he would have received on consecutive tags, his future is assured beyond the next two years. Expectations will remain high given his durability (one missed game in four years) and status as a 2024 Pro Bowler. Kansas City has also taken care of a major extension in the form of edge rusher George Karlaftis. His four-year deal has a base value of $88MM and keeps him in place through 2030. With Smith and Karlaftis signed for the long term, the Chiefs will have continuity on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
- Howell, Tretter Resign Amidst NFLPA Scrutiny: Recent weeks have seen pressure mount on Lloyd Howell with clarity emerging regarding the NFLPA’s role in burying the findings of its collusion case against the NFL. Issues related to a conflict of interest soon followed stemming from Howell’s role as a consultant for one of the private equity firms eligible to purchase an ownership stake in a team. While the union initially offered a statement supporting him, Howell decided to resign his position as executive director days later. The search for his replacement has begun, but at the early stages of that process chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter decided to resign as well. As such, veteran NFLPA executive Don Davis and union general counsel Tom DePaso are among the early names to watch regarding Howell’s successor on an interim or full-time basis.
- Williams Retires After Eight Seasons: 2025 was set to mark Mike Williams’ return to the Chargers. Instead, his NFL career came to an abrupt end when he elected to retire after eight seasons in the league. The first seven of those came as a member of the Bolts and included a pair of 1,000-yard campaigns. Williams, 30, battled injuries during his career but he did not miss any time last year during his tenure with the Jets and Steelers. His decision (along with its timing just ahead of training camp) thus comes as a surprise. Receiver will be a position to watch before Week 1 if Los Angeles deems an outside addition necessary to replace Williams.
Jets, WR Garrett Wilson Agree To Extension
JULY 20: Wilson secured $38.3MM fully guaranteed, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes. That includes a $13.75MM signing bonus and $15MM in total compensation for 2025. The remaining locked in money – included in the pact as injury guarantees – is scheduled to vest one year early for the 2026 and ’27 campaigns. Wilson’s compensation for the final two years of the deal is not guaranteed. His cap charges, per Breer, range from $4MM this year to $38.5MM in 2030.
JULY 14: One of the Jets’ major offseason priorities has been taken care of. An extension agreement has been reached with wideout Garrett Wilson, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The move is now official, per a team announcement.
Wilson’s new pact is four years in length and carries a value of $130MM with $90MM guaranteed, per Schefter. That works out to an average annual value of $32.5MM; the former first-rounder is the first to reach that figure after three seasons in the NFL. Given New York’s decision to pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option this spring, he is now on the books through 2030. This marks the first Jets extension for a former Day 1 pick ahead of their fourth season in the rookie wage scale era (h/t Schefter).
Adding further details on this mega-extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes Wilson will receive a $13.75MM signing bonus. The pact also contains a $20MM option bonus in its second year as well as a $10MM option bonus in Year 3. As expected, the 24-year-old is therefore due to collect on a large scale in the near future.
In terms of both total value and average compensation on a per-year basis, this deal moves Wilson to fifth at the receiver spot. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year has proven to be a focal point on offense in spite of the Jets’ level of play at the quarterback position over the past three years. To no surprise, Wilson was thus a high priority for the team on the extension front. In time for training camp, team and player worked out an agreement.
Part of the Jets’ highly successful 2022 draft class, Wilson made an immediate impact. The Ohio State product has been consistent to say the least even with New York cycling through multiple quarterbacks. Wilson has yet to miss a game in his career, and he has managed no fewer than 1,042 yards each season. Having seen his receptions total climb from 83 to 95 to 101, he will be expected to continue operating as the team’s top option in the passing game for years to come.
The Aaron Rodgers addition resulted in only four snaps played in 2023, but this past season saw the future Hall of Famer play a full campaign. Wilson and Rodgers did not mesh as well as many hoped, and the midseason arrival of Davante Adams notably altered the receiver pecking order. In the wake of that phase of his career (and the Jets’ continued inability to reach the postseason), Wilson’s future in New York became a talking point. This spring, however, he made it clear he hoped to remain in place as part of the post-Rodgers future.
Of course, the Jets’ decision to install a new coaching staff (led by Aaron Glenn) and general manager (Darren Mougey) has marked a turning point in addition to the fact Rodgers and Adams are not in place moving forward. Contract talks with Wilson have been taking place for some time now, and as of last month at least one offer was on the table. Without much issue (in terms of a potential holdout or other training camp drama), Wilson and the new decision-making regime have managed to hammer out a deal.
Now, Gang Green will turn their attention towards their ongoing negotiations with cornerback Sauce Gardner. His contract is likely to eclipse the $30MM per year mark set this offseason by Derek Stingley, who was selected one pick ahead of Gardner in the 2022 draft. Extending the two-time All-Pro would give the Jets’ new regime clear cornerstones on both sides of the ball for the foreseeable future.
Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike Out For Season
July 20: During the Lions’ first day of training camp Sunday, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the media. He told reporters, including Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network, that Onwuzurike tore his ACL and is out for the year.
This is obviously difficult news for the player, who will have no momentum when he becomes eligible for free agency again in 2026, and the team, which is not expecting McNeil to return until late October or early November. The club’s defensive tackle depth will be tested immediately, and Williams will face increased pressure in his rookie season.
July 17: Levi Onwuzurike will be sidelined for at least the first month of the 2025 season. The veteran defensive tackle was placed on the reserve/PUP list Thursday, per a team announcement. 
At the onset of training camp, several players around the league are placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. That move is generally made in the case of short-term ailments, and players can be (and almost always are) activated at some point during the summer. This case is different, however.
Onwuzurike’s placement on the reserve/PUP list guarantees he will miss at least the Lions’ first four games. His absence will be felt along the defensive interior regardless of how long it lasts. Onwuzurike has not been linked to a specific injury this offseason, but he has dealt with lingering back injuries dating back to his college career.
That issue resulted in the entire 2022 campaign being missed. Onwuzurike managed to play 10 games the following year, though, and in 2024 he logged by far the heaviest workload of his career. The 27-year-old played 635 snaps while starting 10 games; to no surprise, an uptick in production followed. Onwuzurike notched 28 tackles while adding 22 quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks.
The former second-rounder was on track for free agency until a new Lions pact was worked out just before the start of the new league year. Onwuzurike took a one-year, $4MM deal to remain in the Motor City. It will be interesting to see what his prognosis is once further details emerge.
In the meantime, the Lions will move forward with a defensive line group led by Alim McNeill, D.J. Reader and first-round rookie Tyleik Williams. Onwuzurike will look to regain his role from last season whenever he returns to full health and is activated.
Panthers Sign Second-Round OLB Nic Scourton, Complete Rookie Deals
The Panthers are the latest team to wrap up their rookie deals in time for training camp. Edge rusher Nic Scourton agreed to terms Saturday, per a team announcement. 
Scourton was selected with the No. 51 pick in April’s draft. That slot saw guarantee rates of 54.8% and 66.4% over the past two years, Jason FItzgerald of Over the Cap notes. This pact is highly unlikely to be fully guaranteed like a number of other second-round deals signed this year, but Scourton no doubt moved that mark upward like all other players taken around him in the 2025 draft.
During his first two college seasons, Scourton played at Purdue. After not logging any starts as a freshman, he stood out the following year with 10 sacks (most in the Big Ten) and 15 tackles for loss. Last offseason, the second-team all-conference performer transferred to Texas A&M. During his lone campaign with the Aggies, Scourton saw his sack total drop to five (which nevertheless led the team) while adding 14 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
That production landed him first-team All-SEC honors as well as a second-team All-American nod. Scourton drew plenty of attention during the pre-draft process and it came as little surprise when he came off the board midway through the second round. The Panthers were seen by many as a strong candidate to select a pass rusher with their first pick, but they instead went the receiver route on Day 1 (Tetairoa McMillan) before turning their attention to pass rushers.
Scourton’s selection was followed by that of Princely Umanmielen in the third round. Both rookies should feature on at least a part-time basis as members of an edge rush group which lost Jadeveon Clowney due to his release this spring. Scourton’s strength against the run should allow him to carve out a role fairly early with Carolina as the team looks to take a needed step forward on defense in 2025.
With Scourton’s pact taken care of, here is the full breakdown of the Panthers’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado) (signed)
Texans Agree To Terms With Second-Round T Aireontae Ersery, Complete Rookie Deals
A deal has been worked out with each member of the Texans’ draft class. Second-round offensive linemen Aireontae Ersery agreed to terms with Houston on Saturday. 
The four-year pact is worth a total of $9.21MM, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. While it is unclear at this point how much Ersery secured in terms of guaranteed money, he is likely among the second-round rookies from the 2025 class who have moved the bar considerably in terms of locked in compensation. Ersery was taken with the No. 48 selection in April.
In 2023, that slot received 68.3% guaranteed; that figure rose to 71.1% last year (h/t Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap). It would come as no surprise if Ersery’s pact includes a larger portion guaranteed while falling short of a 100% rate in that regard. Of course, the Texans helped set a new precedent with respect to second-round guarantees by locking in all of No. 34 pick Jayden Higgins‘ pact in May.
That move created a long-running logjam amongst second-round rookies aiming to join Higgins in receiving a fully guaranteed pact. Not all managed to do so, but in recent days it has become clear players taken in that round will see notably more money locked in at signing moving forward. With Ersery’s deal done, he will be able to report to training camp alongside the rest of the Texans’ rookies along with their veterans on July 22.
Each of Ersery’s five college seasons were spent at Minnesota. He made only one appearance during each of the 2020 and ’21 campaigns, but after that he was a regular for the Golden Gophers who stood out as their left tackle. The second-team All-American was named the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman in 2024 and cemented his status as one of the draft’s top tackle prospects. In Houston, Ersery will look to occupy either the left or right tackle spot on an offensive line which has seen numerous changes this offseason and which enters training camp with a number of unanswered questions.
With Ersery ‘s deal finished, here is a final look at the Texans’ draft class:
- Round 2, No. 34 (from Giants): Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 48 (from Dolphins through Raiders): Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 79 (from Dolphins through Eagles and Commanders): Jaylin Noel (WR, Iowa State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 97 (from Vikings through Jaguars)*: Jaylin Smith (CB, USC) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 116 (from Dolphins): Woody Marks (RB, USC) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 187 (from 49ers through Vikings and Jaguars): Jaylen Reed (S, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 197 (from Broncos): Graham Mertz (QB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 224 (from Bears through Dolphins): Kyonte Hamilton (DT, Rutgers) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 255 (from Browns)*: Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa) (signed)
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/25
Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Kyon Barrs
Chicago Bears
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Jaylon Johnson, QB Case Keenum, WR Jahdae Walker, RB Ian Wheeler
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on active/PUP list: TE Erick All
- Placed on active/NFI list: C Seth McLaughlin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Dennis Gardeck
New England Patriots
- Placed on active/PUP list: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper, OT Vederian Lowe, LB Jahlani Tavai
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, S Josh Minkins, WR Jeremiah Webb
New York Jets
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Jermaine Johnson, WR Irvin Charles
- Placed on active/NFI list: LB Aaron Smith
Washington Commanders
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Timothy McKay
The Cardinals were one of the two teams Barrs visited yesterday. His free agent workout clearly went well, and he will look to carve out a roster spot during training camp. Barrs, a former UDFA, has yet to make a regular season appearance.
Every player on a PUP or NFI list can be activated at any time, but their designations mean they are not cleared to practice at the start of their respective training camps. Notably, the Patriots’ list of PUP players does not include Stefon Diggs. The free agent addition was a candidate to begin camp on the PUP list, but New England’s decision to keep him on the active roster is an encouraging sign regarding his ACL recovery.
The Jets are taking a cautious approach with Jermaine Johnson, as the former first-rounder confirmed on X. An Achilles tear limited him to two games last year, but the Pro Bowler said on Saturday he is ready for on-field work. Activation well in advance of Week 1 should be expected in his case.
Chiefs Agree To Terms With Second-Round DT Omarr Norman-Lott
The Chiefs have completed each of their rookie deals. Second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott has agreed to terms, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 pick in April’s draft. Financial details have not emerged on his four-year rookie contract, but it is safe to assume it is not among those which are guaranteed in full (like a number of others for players taken at the beginning of the round). That slot saw guarantees of 52.7% and 52.5% over the past two years, Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald notes.
2025 has seen a notable upward shift in terms of a higher portion of second-round contracts being guaranteed at signing. That will no doubt be the case with Norman-Lott and future players taken at that spot. With the deal in place, team and player can turn their attention to training camp. Chiefs players report on Monday.
The Chiefs lost Tershawn Wharton in free agency, leaving them with a notable vacancy along the interior. All-Pro Chris Jones is still in place of course, but Kansas City entered the draft in need of a new pass-rushing presence along the defensive front capable of handling at least a depth role early on. Given the strength of the 2025 DT class, it came as no surprise the team targeted one early in the draft.
Norman-Lott spent his first three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Tennessee. During his two years with the Volunteers, he totaled 9.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Questions were raised during the pre-draft process about his ability to anchor against the run, but Norman-Lott should at least be able to chip in as a pass-rushing contributor as a rookie. If he develops beyond that over time, the Chiefs will continue to have a strong presence along the defensive interior for years to come.
With the final rookie contract worked out, here is a final look at the Chiefs’ 2025 draft class:
- Round 1, No. 32 (from Eagles): Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 63: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 66 (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 85 (from Broncos through Panthers and Patriots): Nohl Williams (CB, Cal) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 133: Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 156: Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 228 (from Cowboys via Lions through Patriots)*: Brashard Smith (RB, SMU) (signed)
NFL Won Grievance Over NFLPA On J.C. Tretter’s RB Injury Remarks
Much has been made recently about the collusion grievance filed by the NFLPA against the NFL and the fallout from an arbitrator’s findings on the case being made public. Another case between the two has likewise recently come to light.
Former Packers and Browns center J.C. Tretter – who served as NFLPA president before occupying his current role as chief strategy officer for the union – spoke two years ago about the state of the running back market. Given the flat financial growth seen at the position at that point, Tretter openly remarked about the possibility of players fabricating and/or exaggerating injuries to help their negotiating position. The NFL filed a grievance over the matter; the details of the case were revealed during the latest collaboration between Pablo Torre of the Pablo Finds Out podcast and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (video link).
The NFLPA offered a statement to Florio noting how no evidence was found that running backs (or other players) faked an injury. A number of high-profile running backs met virtually to discuss their options regarding leverage in contract negotiations in the wake of Tretter’s remarks. Despite that fact no action was taken in terms of false claims related to injuries, the league ended up winning the grievance since Tretter violated the CBA with his comments.
“The Arbitrator upheld the Management Council’s grievance in its entirety and found that Mr. Tretter’s statements violated the CBA by improperly encouraging players to fake injury,” a league statement supplied to Florio reads in part. “As a result, he prohibited Mr. Tretter and the union from such conduct in the future. The NFL did not allege that any individual player ever feigned injury.”
As was the case in the collusion grievance, nothing from the February 2025 ruling was made public by either side. While a subsequent statement from the league says (via Florio) teams were informed of the grievance during the spring, a general manager contacted by Florio about the matter was met with a puzzled response. The lack of public knowledge on the Tretter case came about in the wake of the joint decision by the league and union to keep the collusion findings secret for several months.
In more recent news, Sidney Moreland – the arbitrator overseeing non-injury grievance cases, including the Tretter one – has been fired by the NFLPA. The move (first reported by Sportico’s Michael McCann and Eben Novy-Williams) is permitted by the CBA, which allows the league or union to dismiss arbitrators since they are jointly appointed. Per the report, the decision to fire Moreland was not related to the recent revelations about the Tretter case.
Nevertheless, this latest news adds further to the attention the NFLPA has received recently. The union will no doubt remain in the spotlight as its search for a new executive director unfolds in the wake of Lloyd Howell‘s resignation. Tretter is still in place as a key figure in the organization, although it remains to be seen at this point if he will emerge as a candidate to replace Howell.