JC Tretter and Don Davis Top Contenders for NFLPA Leadership Role: Sources

Player reps from all 32 NFL teams, along with other voices, discussed the future leadership of the NFL Players’ Association in a recent call. The race for the next executive director is between JC Tretter, with majority support, and Don Davis, who has backing from some players.

No timeline is set for naming an interim executive director. The league expects the interim appointee not to be promoted to full-time, signaling a shift from past leadership. Tretter's strong support indicates he is a contender.

Player reps will vote for an interim recommendation, with the final decision by the 11-player executive committee. No schedule is set for electing a full-time director.

Many players were unaware of union developments, leading to discussions during the call and subsequent meetings. Howell resigned amid controversies, including a reported confidentiality agreement with the NFL and concerns about conflicts of interest.

Federal investigators are probing sports union officials and OneTeam Partners, a company with NFLPA stakes. Concerns about officials benefiting from OneTeam led to an investigation. Howell, hired in 2023, lacked sports background but had a long career at Booz Allen.

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