New Developments in the NFLPA Situation
There’s a fresh twist in the ongoing saga of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). J.C. Tretter, who served as the union’s chief strategy officer, has resigned from his position and stated that he does not wish to be considered for the role of interim executive director. He shared this news during an interview with CBS Sports on Sunday.
This resignation follows the recent departure of executive director Lloyd Howell Jr., who stepped down last Thursday.
“It’s been a challenging few days for me and my family. I can’t manage that,” Tretter explained. “So just to be clear: I’m not interested in the executive director position. I’ve informed the Executive Committee about my decision, and I plan to leave the NFLPA shortly, as I feel I can’t contribute any more.”
Tretter, who took on his role in October 2024, had an eight-season career in the NFL, playing center for both the Browns and the Packers. He previously served as the NFLPA player president in 2023 and was involved in the hiring process of Howell, who resigned amid controversy including a non-disclosure agreement and issues around a high-profile outing at a strip club that led to his removal by the union.
Reflecting on his time, Tretter expressed his deep connection to the players. “I did this for the past six years because I genuinely care about the guys, their work, and the mission of our organization,” he said. “But after finally getting some rest, I realized I had lost sight of what this place is really about.”
During his interview, Tretter disclosed that Howell wasn’t actually the choice favored by the union’s executive committee, despite the NFLPA board voting in favor of Howell over former SAG-AFTRA director David White.
Tretter noted that the committee’s vote was 10-1 for White, though the overall sentiment on the board differed. The NFLPA has yet to appoint an interim executive director, but ESPN mentioned that unions are meeting soon to consider various candidates for the role, including Don Davis, the CEO of the NFLPA, NFLPA Trust Executive Director Zamir Kobb, and affiliated advisor Ned Ehrlich.
