JC Tretter, president of the players’ union National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), abruptly submitted his resignation Tuesday. So this decision is a pretty big departure from where the leadership of the union has been. Tretter has been in this capacity since October of 2024, following his tenure as the NFLPA player president from 2020 to 2024. Recently, he’s come under fire for a string of controversies involving his inflammatory comments and the Trump administration.
Tretter’s decision to resign comes in the wake of Lloyd Howell’s resignation as executive director, a position Tretter was reportedly considered for as an interim replacement. Howell’s leadership was put under a bright, hot spotlight. One, exposed by extensive reporting from ESPN and the podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” was particularly shocking—a $2 million confidentiality agreement with the NFL and embarrassing spending connected to expenses around visits to strip clubs.
His 2023 may have been spent fending off legal challenges from the NFL. His controversial comments suggested that running backs who were not satisfied with their salaries should consider faking injuries. This claim led to the NFL’s successful lawsuit across the league against the union for breach of collective bargaining agreement.
Tretter’s comments immediately sparked backlash from both the public and the NFL itself. Will Compton, a former NFL player, expressed his frustrations by stating, “We’ve gotta be the dumbest Union in all of sports.” This sentiment is indicative of broader unease with the union’s strategic direction and internal decision-making in tumultuous times.
Against the backdrop of these challenges, Tretter opened up about his own struggles. He said, “In the last few days, it has just become extremely, extremely difficult for my family. And that’s something I can’t deal with.” His resignation seems to represent an acknowledgement or acceptance of the personal and professional pressure that has built over his tenure.
At just 34 years old, Tretter’s departure marks a new chapter for the NFLPA as it seeks to navigate internal challenges while continuing its advocacy for players’ rights. The NFLPA has a history of legal battles, including a lawsuit against team owners in 2022 that alleged collusion to prevent guaranteed contracts.
As it stands today, Lloyd Howell is the head of the NFLPA. Given the recent concert tragedies and continued critical examination, major shifts may be on the horizon.
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