Former NFL defensive end JJ Watt has slammed New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and other team owners who are attempting to eliminate the NFLPA report cards. Last week, the NFL moved to stop the release of team report cards by the NFLPA and reportedly filed a grievance against the union.
On Wednesday, Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, appeared on the "Pat McAfee Show" to vent his frustrations at the league's owners, who are attempting to block the release of the report cards.
"Which teams are the ones that complained? Is it the ones with good grades or bad grades?" JJ Watt said. "I think we do (know). They trust the players to vote on the Pro Bowl, but they don't trust them to vote on how the facilities are."
Watt then attempted to call out Jets owner Woody Johnson, who publicly criticized quarterback Justin Fields for the team's poor start to the season last month.
"And what happens when an owner comes out and says that they're quarterback's no good," Watt said. "Is that public disparagement? Because that sure feels like public disparagement. I'm just trying to piece this together ... So, maybe don't be cheap, build a nice facility, treat your players well and make 'em happy."
The report cards are released annually and conducted by the NFLPA for each franchise to provide insight into how players evaluate their team's performance in various categories, from training rooms to the treatment of their families.
In February, it was reported that Jets owner Johnson was the only team owner to receive an "F grade" on the NFLPA's report card, the worst among all 32 teams.
On Wednesday, JJ Watt called out the voting system for the Defensive Player of the Week honor. Miami Dolphins linebacker, who posted 20 tackles (10 solo) and one stuff against the Washington Commanders to lead his team to a 16-13 overtime win in Week 11, was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week.
However, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett also had a stellar game against the Baltimore Ravens, recording five solo tackles, 4.0 sacks and one stuff in Cleveland's 23-16 loss.
"The requirement that your team win the game for you to win an individual award is very bizarre. It's best defensive player of the week. Not best defensive player whose offense also played well this week," Watt tweeted on Wednesday.
Garrett and the Browns will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. It will be interesting to see if the Cleveland DE can win the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor if he keeps the Raiders' offense quiet on Sunday.