The NFL Players Association has a new leader, but not everyone is celebrating. Steelers legend James Harrison immediately criticized the appointment of JC Tretter as Executive Director. Harrison made a bold claim that Tretter will favor NFL owners in future negotiations.

“The same guy that had no interest in being the Executive Director in July of 2025! Yea congratulations @NFL y'all will get everything y'all want in the new CBA,” Harrison posted on X.

The CBA is a critical contract between players and owners that governs key issues like salary caps and benefits.

The current CBA is effective until the 2030 season. Negotiations, however, can start well in advance for future amendments, making JC Tretter’s appointment all the more important.

Tretter was previously the NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024. During that time, he played a large role in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure, however, has come with some criticism.

In 2025, Tretter stepped down from his role as Chief Strategy Officer, citing internal tensions. To add to the mix, he had commented that players might use fake injuries to negotiate contracts, which he later admitted was a “dumb remark.”

Tretter, however, did have a strong role in negotiating the current CBA. He created the team report cards that allowed players to grade their respective franchises on training facilities, working conditions, and treatment of their families.

Despite Tretter having his strong moments, Harrison feels that Tretter stepping down in 2025 is a bad sign of his incompetence.

Roger Goodell Congratulates Tretter on His Appointment

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated Tretter on his appointment and hopes to build a strong relationship, with a focus on player health and safety.

"We have worked with JC for several years, first as union president when he helped the league and the NFLPA successfully navigate through COVID during the 2020 season. We look forward to building upon that relationship to further our shared priorities, including our commitment to advancing player health and safety and ensuring the global growth of our game for our fans, the players, and our clubs,” he said in a statement.

Tretter is being appointed as the fifth executive director of the NFLPA. He took the top spot from over 300 candidates. And while talking about it, he said:

"There are times in your life when you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be. That's where I am today. 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,” Tretter said about his appointment.

What do you think about JC Tretter’s appointment to the NFLPA? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar