JC Tretter to resign from NFLPA amid controversy

“Over the last couple days, it has gotten very, very hard for my family. And that’s something I can’t deal with,” Tretter said. “So, the short bullet points are: I have no interest in being [executive director]. I have no interest in being considered; I’ve let the executive committee know that. I’m also going to leave the NFLPA in the coming days because I don’t have anything left to give the organization.”

Howell received backing from the NFLPA before, days later, deciding to step down. Tretter — who was a key figure in the Howell hire and the union’s actions during his tenure at the helm — has also emerged as the source of backlash with a number of revelations being made about his conduct. Currently the union’s chief strategy officer, Tretter was among the names listed as potential Howell replacements on an interim basis. Shortly after a meeting of player reps and the executive committee, however, things have changed.

“I love the guys [in the union], and that’s why I’ve done what I’ve done for the last six years is because I love what they do and who they are and the mission of the organization,” Tretter added, noting he did not conceive a ploy to usurp Howell as the executive director. “And I think what I realized this morning when I woke up … is that I fell in love with the idea of what this place could be. And over the last six weeks, I’ve realized what this place is, and the delta between those two things.”

Tretter’s interview contains details about the process by which Howell was hired in 2023. A shift to a more streamlined vetting and interview process resulted in a hire shrouded in secrecy compared to previous ones. Tretter also noted the NFLPA’s executive voted 10-1 against Howell (with his vote being one of the 10) in a straw poll but decided not to mention it to the union’s general membership. 

Brought in with the hopes of leading the way through CBA talks, Howell’s tenure came to an abrupt end after revelations about his role in keeping collusion grievance findings hidden as well as conflict of interest concerns. Tretter’s connections to Howell (and thus the scandals) made him a target for scrutiny over the past few days.

Tretter expressed regret during the interview about his remarks made about Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson with respect his lack of a fully guaranteed contract. The former NFL center also offered an apology for his comments suggesting running backs could feign injury as a negotiating tactic. That spurred a grievance against the NFLPA which the league won and which resulted in the union firing the arbitrator involved in the case.

In a sign of the growing consternation over his presence in the organization, Tretter added he feels many of the “attacks” he has received in recent weeks have come from within the NFLPA. With the union seeking a new leader, Tretter will not take part in the search process nor will he stay on in any capacity.