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List of organizational conflicts in the NFL

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Organizational conflict is a recurring issue in many workplaces due to numerous factors.[1] In the National Football League and many other professional sports organizations, internal drama between players, coaches, and executives may often be publicized by the national media.[2]

The 1989 Buffalo Bills, who were later nicknamed the "Bickering Bills", 1993 Houston Oilers, and 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers, whose conflict was later called "Days of our Steelers" in reference to the soap opera television series Days of Our Lives, became prominent examples of teams with widely known internal conflict. Aside from NFL teams, widely publicized scandals or conflicts involving league executives have also occurred.

List of NFL teams affected by publicized organizational conflict or scandals

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This list of NFL seasons includes teams that were negatively affected by publicized scandals or organizational conflict between their members.

Year Team Notes References
1977 Pittsburgh Steelers Despite a 9–5 record and divisional title, several scandals emerged between players, coaches, owner Art Rooney, and even members of opposing teams. This included numerous players being arrested for alleged cocaine possession, contract holdouts, and lawsuits, in addition to regressed play from the team's vaunted defense that led to a first-round playoff loss. The SB Nation blog Behind the Steel Curtain comments that if social media existed in 1977, this season would likely dwarf the Steelers' 2018 season in terms of controversy. [3]
1989 Buffalo Bills Nicknamed the "Bickering Bills" due to several conflicts and arguments between players including Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Ronnie Harmon, and Chris Burkett, the latter of whom was notably cut after arguing with Kelly during a game. Kelly in particular attracted media attention due to his public criticisms of his teammates. In addition, assistant coaches Tom Bresnahan and Nick Nicolau got into a fistfight while reviewing film. The Bills narrowly made the playoffs at 9–7 and lost in the first round but found success with the "K-Gun offense" in that game, which would propel them to four straight Super Bowl appearances afterwards. [4][5]
1990 New England Patriots Seeking to improve on a 5–11 season, the team fell into turmoil after players Zeke Mowatt, Bob Perryman, and Michael Timpson sexually harassed and exposed themselves to Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson the day after a Week 2 win against the Colts. The incident and the ensuing media firestorm proved to be major distractions for the team, who lost the next 14 games and finished the season 1–15. Owner Victor Kiam made several crass comments about Olson, who was also harassed and received death threats from Patriots fans. The Herald subsequently transferred Olson to Australia, where she remained until 1998. After the season, Olson sued Kiam, general manager Patrick Sullivan, and the three players. Sullivan resigned, first-year head coach Rod Rust was fired, the three players were fined, and Kiam sold the team in 1992. [6][7][8]
1993 Houston Oilers Coming off a bitter playoff loss, the Oilers featured assistant coaches Buddy Ryan and Kevin Gilbride feuding over clashing philosophies, culminating in the two getting into a fight during a game on national television. In addition, several players were involved with controversy and conflict, and one player, Jeff Alm, committed suicide after a DUI crash that killed his best friend. Though the Oilers finished 12–4 with a divisional title, their quick playoff loss and drama boiled over, and owner Bud Adams traded most of the team's star players in the offseason, eventually moving the team to Nashville, Tennessee to become the Tennessee Titans. [9][10]
1998 San Diego Chargers After going 4–12 the year prior, the Chargers used the second overall pick in the draft to select quarterback Ryan Leaf. Hoping he would be the catalyst for a successful future, Leaf instead became the focus for many conflicts for the team, including yelling at reporters and getting into arguments with teammates during practice. Head coach Kevin Gilbride was fired after a 2–4 start. The Chargers finished 5–11, with Leaf throwing just two touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions before being benched and is now considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. [11][12]
2003 Oakland Raiders Tensions boiled the year following a Super Bowl loss, starting in training camp when Bill Romanowski punched teammate Marcus Williams during a scrimmage, breaking his eye socket and forcing Williams to retire. Other players took out their frustrations on head coach Bill Callahan, with Charles Woodson publicly accusing Callahan of trying to sabotage the team's season and saying the locker room was in a mutiny against him. Callahan further irked the team's aging veterans by stating that their salaries needed to be reduced to improve the team's future to get younger players. After a Week 13 loss to the Broncos, Callahan publicly called his players "the dumbest team in America." A season-ending injury in Week 7 to reigning MVP Rich Gannon further doomed the Raiders, who fell into a tailspin and ultimately finished the season 4–12. Callahan was fired after the season. The Raiders did not have another winning season or make the playoffs until 2016. [13][14][15]
2005 Philadelphia Eagles After a Super Bowl XXXIX appearance, the Eagles entered their 2005 season as heavy NFC favorites, aiming for their fifth consecutive NFC Championship game. However, trouble began after contract disputes between Terrell Owens and Brian Westbrook during the summer, which led to tension in the locker room. Despite a 3–1 start, the Eagles fell apart with injuries, the contract holdouts and arguments causing the team to finish at 6–10, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The tension reached a boiling point when Owens and team ambassador Hugh Douglas got into a fistfight after Douglas reportedly said there were players on the team "faking injuries". Two days after an ESPN interview in which Owens made several comments perceived as verbal jabs at quarterback Donovan McNabb and the team, the Eagles suspended Owens indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team." While Westbrook would receive a new contract, Owens was released in the offseason. [16]
2007 Atlanta Falcons In the wake of quarterback Michael Vick's indictment over illicit dogfighting activities, new head coach Bobby Petrino did not get along with players throughout the Falcons' doomed 4–12 season. He abruptly resigned his post the day after Vick's conviction and after just 13 games to take the head coach position for Arkansas, only leaving behind a hand-written note to shocked players after previously assuring owner Arthur Blank he would stay. Vick was replaced by Matt Ryan in the following draft. [17][18][19]
2012 New York Jets A quarterback controversy was created after the Jets traded for Tim Tebow, who was pit against starter Mark Sanchez, who notably struggled during the season with his low-point being the humiliating Butt Fumble play during a prime time Thanksgiving game against the New England Patriots. In addition, questionable moves by coach Rex Ryan and sloppy play from the team overall led to the media describing the 2012 Jets as a "circus". The team stumbled to a 6–10 finish, a far cry from consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in 2009 and 2010, and have not made the postseason since. [20][21][22]
2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Considerable tension between head coach Greg Schiano and the team's players and fans marred the season. Schiano did not get along with quarterback Josh Freeman, and benched him following a poor start. Freeman was released during the bye week. The team also experienced an outbreak of MRSA and two infected players, Carl Nicks and Lawrence Tynes, ended up retiring prematurely due to the effects of their infections. As the team started off 0–8 and finished 4–12, many fans called for Schiano's firing, and one radio station erected a billboard with the message "Fire Schiano." Schiano was fired after the season. [23][24][25]
2017 New York Giants Coming off an 11–5 season and a playoff appearance in 2016, the Giants hoped to continue their success in 2017 under second-year head coach Ben McAdoo, where many thought the team would be NFC East champions, let alone winning the NFC overall. Instead, the Giants began the season 0–5 en route to a poor 3–13 record. The season was marred by numerous injuries as well as conflicts between McAdoo and several of his players. McAdoo suspended cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins after each violated team rules, which caused outrage among multiple Giants players, some of whom anonymously spoke to the media and criticized McAdoo for losing the locker room and not caring when some players appeared to give up on the team. McAdoo also benched 14-year veteran quarterback Eli Manning before a game against the Raiders, thus ending Manning's consecutive start streak at 210 games. The move was heavily criticized by players, commentators, and fans, and following the team's loss to the Raiders, the Giants fired McAdoo. [26][27]
2018 Pittsburgh Steelers Despite three straight playoff appearances and a 7–2–1 start, the Steelers failed to make the playoffs, as head coach Mike Tomlin was criticized for several controversial in-game decisions and his inability to control the actions of his players. Ben Roethlisberger publicly criticized several teammates (including rookies) for their play, resulting in him being criticized in the media as well. Le'Veon Bell engaged in a contract hold-out in the offseason that eventually escalated into him sitting out for the entire season. Antonio Brown frequently made headlines due to his behavior both on and off the field, ultimately leaving the team before the final regular season game after not receiving a team award. Both Bell and Brown departed Steelers' roster in the offseason. The team's drama was chronicled throughout the season by Pittsburgh-based YouTuber UrinatingTree, who made weekly videos in his series "Days of Our Steelers." [28][29][30]
2019 Washington Redskins After head coach Jay Gruden was fired, numerous controversies regarding team president Bruce Allen and owner Daniel Snyder surfaced, including the team's treatment of its cheerleaders and players, toxic team culture, sexual assault allegations, and refusal to change the team's controversial name. Allen himself and other team executives were fired after the team's dismal 3–13 finish, and Washington dropped the "Redskins" moniker the following season and rebranded as the Commanders in 2022. [31][32]
2020 Houston Texans Controversial transactions by head coach/GM Bill O'Brien, in addition to declining team play, resulted in O'Brien's firing after an 0–4 start. In addition, star players with large contracts such as J. J. Watt and Deshaun Watson became disgruntled by the team's decisions and direction, with both players requesting trades in the offseason. Watson was later accused of sexual assault following the season and was deactivated as a result. With Watson and Watt either being traded or inactive, the Texans were put in a precarious situation the following season. [33][34][35][36]
2021 Jacksonville Jaguars Newly hired head coach Urban Meyer was constantly in the headlines due to several incidents on and off the field, which included kicking placekicker Josh Lambo in the thigh, skipping a team flight after a game to party at his restaurant in Ohio, and arguing with assistant coaches, receiver Marvin Jones, and running back James Robinson. He was fired after only 13 games due to his controversial behavior throughout the season and strained relations with players and staff. [37][38][39]
2021 Las Vegas Raiders A troubled season that saw head coach Jon Gruden resign due to emails with racist, misogynistic, homophobic and vulgar language from the past being leaked, as well as the mysterious resignations of several team executives in the offseason. Several players were arrested or released for player misconduct, with Henry Ruggs and Nate Hobbs being arrested for driving under the influence while Damon Arnette was released after he brandished firearms and made death threats in a video he uploaded to Instagram. Ruggs' incident resulted in the death of another driver and also resulted in his release. Despite the chaos, Las Vegas made the playoffs at 10–7 but lost in the first round. [40][41]
2022 Arizona Cardinals Multiple Cardinals players and coaches got into trouble for off-field incidents before and during the season. DeAndre Hopkins got suspended for six games for failing a drug test, Marquise Brown was arrested during the offseason for speeding, and assistant coach Sean Kugler was fired by the team after he allegedly groped a woman in Mexico City before an international game against the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals organization engaged in a lengthy contract dispute during the offseason. When they finally agreed to an extension, the Cardinals included a clause within the contract that required Murray to study film for four hours a week, which was harshly criticized and perceived as stereotypical towards black quarterbacks. As the season progressed, the relationship between Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury crumbled. The off-field noise and injuries to key players, including Murray, were too much to overcome and the Cardinals cratered to a ghastly 4-13 record after making the playoffs in 2021. Several former Cardinals criticized the team culture under Kingsbury, general manager Steve Keim, and team owner Michael Bidwill. Following the season, Kingsbury was fired and Keim stepped down due to health concerns. [42][43][44][45][46]
2023 Buffalo Bills Fresh off an "emotionally draining" season, pressure was mounting on head coach Sean McDermott to get the Bills to a Super Bowl with an aging and costly roster, and receiver Stefon Diggs was reportedly disgruntled towards the team and quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills started the season off strong, but struggles on offense and injuries to key defensive starters led to a 2–4 slump that resulted in offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey getting fired mid-season. Despite further drama such as pass rusher Von Miller being arrested for alleged domestic violence and McDermott having past controversial comments on the September 11 attacks revealed in an exposé article, the team rallied to win six of their final seven games to clinch their fourth straight division title, only to lose in the divisional round for the third season in a row after kicker Tyler Bass missed a potential game-tying field goal. Following the season, Buffalo cut several veterans including Tre'Davious White and Jordan Poyer to meet the salary cap and traded Diggs to the Houston Texans. [47][48][49][50][51]

League-wide issues

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rooy, David Van (2014-09-25). "The NFL: A Case Study in Organizational Culture Gone Amuck". Inc.com. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  2. ^ "How the Ray Rice scandal unfolded". ESPN.com. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  3. ^ Chester, Simon (2019-01-29). "No season in team history was plagued by as much drama as the Steelers 1977 campaign". Behind the Steel Curtain. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  4. ^ Buffalo Rumblings: Worst Moments In Bills History, No. 22: Bickering Bills | Retrieved December 30, 2011
  5. ^ LEVY, MARV (30 November 2004). "THE BICKERING BILLS LEARN TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  6. ^ George, Thomas (November 28, 1990). "Patriots and 3 Players Fined in Olson Incident". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Kunen, James S. (October 15, 1990). "Sportswriter Lisa Olson Calls the New England Patriots Out of Bounds for Sexual Harassment". People. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  8. ^ Olson suit charges sexual harassment, Los Angeles Times (April 26, 1991). Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  9. ^ "Houston '93". A Football Life. Season 3. Episode 15. December 10, 2013. NFL Network.
  10. ^ YouTube video: Buddy Ryan punching Kevin Gilbride
  11. ^ Pennington, Bill (September 24, 1998). "PRO FOOTBALL; Leaf Seeks Turnabout Following Tantrum". The New York Times.
  12. ^ Silver, Michael (August 30, 1999). "San Diego Chargers – After a season of discontent there's reason to be upbeat". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  13. ^ "Injured ex-Raider raises issue of ' 'roid rage'". 27 January 2005.
  14. ^ Keown, Tim. "Conspiracy Theory". ESPN. ESPN, Inc. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Raiders Officially Fire Callahan". Los Angeles Times. January 2004. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Eagles suspend T.O. indefinitely for comments". ESPN.com. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  17. ^ Maske, Mark (July 18, 2007). "Falcons' Vick Indicted In Dogfighting Case". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  18. ^ Petrino leaves Falcons, will coach Arkansas FOX Sports, December 11, 2007.
  19. ^ "Bitter Falcons feel betrayed after Petrino bolts for Arkansas". NFL.com. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  20. ^ William, Perlman (November 22, 2012). "The Butt Fumble". USA Today Sports. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  21. ^ Hanzus, Dan (2012-09-04). "Jets' wild circus hits New York Post's front page". NFL.com. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  22. ^ "The New York Jets Circus of 2012". SI.com. 2012-12-08. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  23. ^ Sign calls for Greg Schiano's firing
  24. ^ Cascio, Josh (August 28, 2013). "Tynes not responding to treatment for MRSA, wife says". FOX 13 News. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  25. ^ "Bucs release Josh Freeman". ESPN.com. October 3, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  26. ^ Davis, Scott (November 9, 2017). "Two Giants players say everyone has given up and Ben McAdoo has 'lost the team'". Business Insider. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  27. ^ "New York Giants fire Ben McAdoo one week after Eli Manning's benching". The Guardian. December 4, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  28. ^ Shook, Nick (January 31, 2019). "James Harrison pins blame for drama on Mike Tomlin". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  29. ^ Williams, Charean (2018-12-31). "Report: Antonio Brown missed game for disciplinary reasons, not injury". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  30. ^ Axelrod, Joshua (2019-07-03). "Meet the YouTube star keeping Pittsburgh sports teams honest". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  31. ^ Allen, Scott. "Hail or Fail: Fans chant 'sell the team' as Redskins hit a new low in loss to Jets". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  32. ^ Hailey, Peter (2020-01-28). "Redskins had 'no adult in the room' at end of Allen's tenure". NBC Sports Washington. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  33. ^ "Texans fire Bill O'Brien as general manager, head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  34. ^ "AP Source: QB Watson requests trade from Houston Texans". AP NEWS. 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  35. ^ McClain, John (2021-09-03). "Mailbag: Are Texans setting precedent with handling of Deshaun Watson?". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  36. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "End of an era: Houston Texans releasing 3-time DPOY J.J. Watt". NFL.com. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  37. ^ DiRocco, Michael (October 5, 2021). "Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan: Urban Meyer 'must regain our trust and respect' after 'inexcusable' conduct". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  38. ^ Pickman, Ben (14 December 2021). "Jaguars Owner Comments on Urban Meyer's Job Status, Future". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  39. ^ Gordon, Grant (December 16, 2021). "Urban Meyer fired as Jaguars head coach after 2-11 start to first season". NFL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  40. ^ Breech, John (2021-08-05). "Raiders mysterious front office exodus continues with four executives now having resigned from the team". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  41. ^ "Jon Gruden resigns as Las Vegas Raiders head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  42. ^ "Warren Moon calls Kyler Murray's film study clause a 'slap in the face' to Black quarterbacks". USA Today. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  43. ^ "Kyler Murray on argument with Kliff Kingsbury during Saints-Cardinals: I was just telling him to 'chill out'". CBS Sports. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  44. ^ "Arizona Cardinals' 2022 season one of NFL's most dysfunctional ever". Arizona Sports. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  45. ^ "Former Arizona Cardinals slam team's culture amid Kyler Murray contract situation, drama". azcentral. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  46. ^ Urban, Darren (January 9, 2023). "Cardinals Relieve Kliff Kingsbury Of Coaching Duties, Steve Keim Steps Down". azcardinals.com. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  47. ^ Zweiman, Benjamin (2023-11-14). "Should Bills head coach Sean McDermott be on the hot seat after MNF loss to Broncos?". DraftKings Network. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  48. ^ Close, Andy Rose, Jill Martin, David (2023-11-30). "Arrest warrant issued for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller". CNN. Retrieved 2023-12-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  49. ^ "During 2021 team meeting, Sean McDermott cited 9/11 attacks as example of teamwork". NBC Sports. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  50. ^ "Tyler Bass deactivates social media after missed kick; Bills Mafia donates to cat shelter to show support". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  51. ^ "Why did the Bills trade Stefon Diggs? Josh Allen drama, cryptic tweets, playoff failures lead to WRs departure". www.sportingnews.com. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
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