NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFLPA states its stance on Lloyd Howell Jr. amid controversy

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 5:32 PM ET

NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. has recently been mired in controversy. The union, however, is still backing him.

"As members of the NFLPA Executive Committee, we categorically reject false reports insinuating doubts within this committee or suggestions that we have asked our Executive Director to step down. We further reject attempts to mischaracterize the committee's views or divide our membership," the executive committee said in a statement, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"We have established a deliberate process to carefully assess the issues that have been raised and will not engage in a rush to judgment. We believe and remain committed to working with our Executive Director and other members of the NFLPA staff and player leadership who have a shared mission to advance the best interests of the players. As we approach the 2025 season, we look forward to continuing our important work together and ensuring the strength and the unity of our association."

CBS Sports analyst J.J. Watt, a former Houston Texans star, took issue with the NFLPA's statement on his X account, writing they were "contradictory statements." His frustration seems understandable.

“We categorically reject false reports insinuating doubts.”

“We have established a deliberate process to carefully assess the issues that have been raised and will not engage in a rush to judgement.”

Those are contradicting statements… https://t.co/VwW8t92lLw
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 13, 2025

In a June episode of his podcast, longtime sportswriter Pablo Torre reported NFL and NFLPA leaders reached an unusual confidentiality agreement to hide the details of an arbitration decision from the players.

This included findings that league executives had encouraged team owners to reduce guaranteed money for players. Any collusion to keep salaries down would violate the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.

On Jan. 14, an arbitrator ruled there was not enough evidence to prove there was collusion. Per ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler, Howell and Co. appealed on Tuesday, nearly six months after the initial decision.

Then, on Thursday, Kahler and Van Natta reported Howell is a paid, part-time consultant for The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm approved to invest in an NFL franchise, a potential conflict of interest.

The NFLPA is supposed to have the best interests of its players in mind. So, why is it supporting Howell, who may not be doing that?

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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