NFLPA Chief J.C. Tretter Resigns Amid Leadership Overhaul

In a significant shift within the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), Chief Strategy Officer J.C. Tretter has announced his resignation, stepping away from his role and withdrawing from consideration for the interim executive director position. This decision comes in the wake of a tumultuous period marked by internal criticism and leadership challenges within the union.

Tretter, who has held the position of Chief Strategy Officer since October 2024, cited increasing personal difficulties as a primary reason for his departure. "Over the last couple of days, it has gotten very, very hard for my family. And that's something I can't deal with," Tretter stated in an interview with CBS Sports on July 20, 2025. He further emphasized, "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."

Tretter's resignation follows the abrupt departure of former executive director Lloyd Howell, who resigned on July 17, 2025, amid growing scrutiny over his leadership and controversial decisions, including a confidentiality agreement with the NFL concerning collusion allegations among team owners. Howell's tenure had been marked by challenges, including a lawsuit against the NFL regarding guaranteed contracts and public criticism of his fiscal management.

Former players and current union members have expressed mixed reactions to Tretter's resignation and the leadership upheaval. Will Compton, a former linebacker, criticized the union's decision-making, stating, "We've gotta be the dumbest union in all of sports. Ya -- let's vote for the guy who was in charge of hiring Lloyd Howell. Let's vote for the guy who swept a lot of s--- under the rug when NFL owners were colluding to not give out guaranteed contracts. The NFLPA is constantly outmatched and it’s truly our own doing." Likewise, Ben Watson, a former player and NFLPA executive committee member, suggested that the organization would benefit from further removing Tretter from its ranks.

Tretter, who served as the NFLPA's player president from 2020 to 2024, played a pivotal role in making constitutional changes that aimed to increase confidentiality in the election process of the union's leadership. Critics have argued that these changes have not served the best interests of the players, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding contract negotiations and the union's handling of grievances against the league.

The NFLPA's board of player representatives is set to convene to discuss candidates for the interim director position, with names such as Don Davis, the NFLPA chief player officer, and Zamir Cobb, the executive director of the NFLPA trust, emerging as potential successors. This meeting will also address the selection process for the next executive director and whether to involve the interim director in this critical decision-making.

As the organization navigates this leadership transition, the implications for player representation and negotiations with the NFL remain uncertain. The NFLPA has faced significant challenges in recent years, including public disputes over contracts and internal governance issues, which continue to shape the landscape of professional football representation. The ongoing developments within the NFLPA will undoubtedly have lasting effects on the relationship between players and league management, particularly as negotiations for future contracts loom on the horizon.

Moving forward, the NFLPA must address the myriad of concerns raised by its members to restore confidence in its leadership and ensure that player interests remain the top priority in negotiations with the league. The upcoming discussions and decisions will be pivotal in setting the course for the union's future and its effectiveness in advocating for the rights and welfare of NFL players.