The NFL Players Association is courting more controversy. In an unexpected turn of events, the union announced on Wednesday that JC Tretter would be its new executive director.

In a statement published by the NFLPA, Tretter said, "I'm grateful for the trust my fellow players have placed in me, and I'm going to reward that trust with my fullest commitment to these players and chart a new course for our union." 

This development is shocking, given the controversy Tretter recently left in his wake. Tretter served as the NFLPA players’ president from 2020 to 2024. He became the chief strategy officer in 2024.

In 2025, his credibility was called into question after he was involved in a violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules.

An arbiter ruled out that Tretter, acting as a union leader, had asked running backs to fake or exaggerate injuries to “create leverage” during contract discussions. 

And in 2026, another arbiter ruled that his leadership distributed the now-prohibited team report cards in a manner that “disparaged” NFL clubs and employees. Moreover, he was also implicated in a scandal involving Lloyd Howell, a former NFLPA executive director and his predecessor. 

Howell resigned in July 2025 after ESPN reported that he acted as a consultant to a private equity group seeking a minority stake in the NFL. It was reported that Tretter, the interim director, was aware of the dealings and even helped in hiding them.

Around the same time, Tretter also resigned and made bold claims about not being interested in taking up Howell’s job. 

A Statement Many Haven’t Forgotten

After NFL insider Adam Scheffer made an X post reporting Tretter’s development, ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak reposted the report with a screenshot of Tretter’s quote. 

“I have no interest in becoming (executive director). I have no interest in being considered. I am also going to leave the NFLPA in the coming days as I have nothing left to give to the organization,” Tretter had told CBS at the height of the controversy.

Before his deep involvement in the union, Tretter was an offensive lineman who played in the league for eight seasons. He was a part of rival teams, the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns. 

The 35-year-old was drafted by the Packers in 2014, and he joined the Browns in 2017 as a center. He started 60 games for the Browns and recorded three fumbles. Tretter made three playoff appearances in his career, two with the Packers in 2014 and 2015, while 2020 was his last one with the Browns. 

Since controversies marred his previous tenure, many are uncertain how he would fare now. Does this news shock you? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow the Cleveland Browns Community for more.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Sayantan Gayen