The Jacksonville Jaguars are facing, at minimum, a significant PR headache after losing an arbitration grievance against the NFLPA.
The union took on the Jaguars, accusing them of requiring their players to get any offseason medical treatment at a team facility. They stated that the Jaguars had fined players who had not done this, and the NFLPA responded with a grievance.
After an independent arbitrator sided with the union, the NFLPA issued a statement that ended with a scathing assessment of the Jaguars, essentially warning players against signing with them.
“It should be noted that Jaguars players continue to be at odds with Jaguars management over their rights under the CBA far more than players on other clubs,” the statement read. “In the last two years, more than 25% of the grievances filed by players in the entire league have been filed against the Jaguars. You as players may want to consider this when you have a chance to select your next club.”
NFLPA won an arbitration grievance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Said Jags tried requiring players to get all offseason medical treatment at team facility, which contravenes the CBA. “You as players may want to consider this when you have a chance to select your next club.” pic.twitter.com/S1eyqqw8cg
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) December 16, 2019
In other words, the NFLPA wouldn’t necessarily recommend that free agents should sign with Jacksonville on account of the frequent grievances brought against the organization. That’s not what you want to hear if you’re running the team, especially with a rebuild coming.
The Jaguars appear set to make significant changes organizationally at the end of the season. Maybe new management will help them shape up and run afoul of the NFLPA less frequently.
