The NFLPA just got thrown into chaos. Last week, Lloyd Howell stepped down as executive director out of nowhere, admitting his leadership had become “a distraction” to the union’s mission. “Our members deserve a union that will fight relentlessly,” Howell said in his resignation statement – a quiet exit after just two years on the job. Now, the scramble is on to replace him. Behind closed doors, player reps from all 32 teams are weighing in on what comes next. And in Dallas, one voice might carry more weight than expected.
Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa isn’t just watching from the sidelines. As one of the team’s player reps, he’s knee-deep in the conversation. He won’t spill secrets, but his stance is telling: this isn’t just about picking a new leader; it’s about fixing what broke. Because, after the last few weeks, players aren’t just looking for a replacement. They’re looking for a reset. That reset might start with Odighizuwa himself.
While most players stayed quiet during the NFLPA’s leadership meltdown, the Cowboys’ defensive tackle finally broke his silence with a carefully measured but loaded message: “It’s interesting, but I wouldn’t say it’s hard. Compartmentalization is the name of the game… We’ve got to focus on what we’ve got to focus on.” That calm surface hides a tsunami of drama.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 29: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa 97 looks on during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys on December 29, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 29 Cowboys at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241229153
The union exploded last week when executive director Lloyd Howell resigned after ESPN reported he allegedly consulted for a private equity firm doing NFL business. Then J.C. Tretter – the expected replacement – abruptly quit as chief strategy officer Sunday amid backlash from former players. Now, only Don Davis remains as a candidate, leaving players like Odighizuwa navigating a minefield.
The controversy runs deeper. Howell allegedly helped broker a secret NFL-NFLPA deal to hide possible owner collusion on QB salaries. That’s why Odighizuwa’s measured words matter. As a rep for one of the league’s most visible teams, his “cross that bridge when we get there” stance reveals what players want: less backroom dealing, more transparency.
While players like Osa Odighizuwa make their voices heard, a different game is unfolding in the shadows. One where resumes and alliances matter more than tackles.
Lloyd Howell leaves NFLPA in chaos
As players prepare for training camp, the NFLPA’s leadership crisis keeps getting worse. The scramble to replace Lloyd Howell, who resigned after ESPN revealed he billed the union for strip club visits ($738.82 at one club, $2,426 at another), has become a case study in dysfunction. According to The Athletic, it came down to two men: NFLPA veterans J.C. Tretter and Don Davis. But even that simple choice got complicated fast.
Tretter, the former Browns center turned union strategist, seemed like the obvious pick. Players reportedly backed him, and he knew the organization inside out. Then the bombshells hit.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Super Bowl LIX-NFLPA press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz Feb 5, 2025 New Orleans, LA, USA NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Louisiana Untied States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250205_tbs_al2_452
A group of players threatened legal action over “potential violations around inclusion, labor rights, and misuse of union dues” tied to his tenure. By Sunday, Tretter was done. “I have no interest in being [executive director],” he told CBS Sports, his voice tired. “I’m also going to leave the NFLPA in the coming days because I don’t have anything left to give.” Just like that, the frontrunner walked away.
That leaves Don Davis, the NFLPA’s Chief Player Officer, as the last man standing. But here’s the catch: nobody wants him long-term. The union expects to name an interim director by Tuesday, right as most teams report to camp, then restart the search later. It’s a Band-Aid solution for a bleeding wound.
However, the real issue isn’t just about who sits in the big chair. It’s about trust. Howell allegedly hid evidence of owner collusion on QB salaries. Tretter’s exit reeks of burnout and bad blood. And the players? They’re stuck watching their union fight itself while the league’s owners circle like sharks.
Now the real question isn’t just who will lead the NFLPA, but whether players will trust anyone to clean up this mess. Because when your union’s receipts include both financial red flags and buried scandals? That’s when resumes stop mattering, and real leadership begins.
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