There’s a change of the guard at the NFLPA, as JC Tretter was elected executive director of the organization. The development comes with plenty of controversy, however, as no one expected Tretter to be appointed following his comments last year.
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News broke on Tuesday that Tretter had been appointed as the next executive director of the Players Association. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated the executive, noting that his firsthand experience as a former player will be invaluable to the organization.
Tretter was an offensive lineman in the league for nine years (2013–2021), playing for the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns.
“The Board of Player Representatives has elected JC Tretter to lead the NFLPA as the union’s fifth executive director,” the NFLPA announced. “He previously served as NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024.”
Eight months ago, however, Tretter firmly declined to be appointed as the Players Association’s executive director, sparking significant skepticism about his eventual hiring.
“Unserious,” CBS Sports’ J.P. Acosta posted, contrasting the hiring with Tretter’s past comments.
“‘Congrats to the NFLPA on electing the guy whose insane regime agreed to bury a ruling full of explosive texts and evidence about how the league secretly encouraged teams to collude against the players,'” journalist Pablo Torre posted, bashing Goodell’s congratulatory message.
A lot of shadows seem to follow Tretter, as the executive has been linked to concealed arbitration rulings, collusion, and other controversies during his time with the NFLPA.
“The same guy that had no interest in being the Executive Director in July of 2025!” Super Bowl champion James Harrison posted. “Yea congratulations @NFL yall will get everything yall want in the new CBA.”
On the other hand, not everyone is cynical about Tretter’s appointment. Some believe his extensive background in the NFL should serve the Players Association well.
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“The Board of Player Representatives has elected JC Tretter to lead the NFLPA,” former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel said optimistically. “Talked about this earlier this week — JC Tretter checks every box: smart, respected, & understands the business. Huge move for the NFLPA.”
“So, to recap: JC Tretter helps get Lloyd Howell elected,” Tom Downey wrote. “Howell helps Tretter get promoted… Howell and Tretter resign after scandals… Tretter gets to be new head of the NFLPA… If it weren’t actually sad, it’d be funny.”
While many people might have questions about how a controversial figure like Tretter got hired to lead the players’ union, it remains to be seen how the political narrative plays out.
