Pro Football Rumors
The first official candidate for the NFLPA’s full-time executive director position has emerged. A familiar face is once again showing interest in the gig.
Former quarterback Matt Schaub detailed in a lengthy Go Long piece (written alongside Jason Cole) his decision to pursue the full-time leadership position. David White – the runner-up to Lloyd Howell in the 2023 selection process – is currently in place on an interim basis. It remains to be seen if he will look to secure the full-time gig. In either case, Schaub will be a candidate worth watching.
The 17-year veteran made it clear in 2022 (not long after his retirement) he was interested in taking over from DeMaurice Smith. Schaub was not a finalist that time around, with only Howell and White in place for the final vote in 2023. Howell’s tenure came to an abrupt end this summer in the wake of numerous scandals. The union lost another veteran leader shortly thereafter once J.C. Tretter resigned. Stability in the short term but also a clear vision on priorities for upcoming CBA talks represent major priorities for the union at this point.
“It is important for players to know who truly wants the job and why,” Schaub’s announcement reads in part. “More importantly, players need to hear as many ideas as possible. The 2023 NFLPA executive director search, after which Howell was elected, was done in almost complete secrecy and the results are the current disaster. This election process needs to be out in the open, argued, debated, questioned, and thoroughly challenged.”
Schaub noted the difference in the union’s direction following Gene Upshaw‘s death in 2008 (that is, the shift from a former player to personnel with experience outside the game in the years since his passing). The 44-year-old’s announcement calls on a return to ex-players being relied on to lead the NFLPA. It also includes a number of suggestions for union reforms in terms of structure and operation and notes how Schaub has relied on a 10-man team to further educate him on NFLPA and CBA matters since 2023.
Last week, Hall of Fame corner Darrelle Revis along with Joe Briggs (who has a lengthy legal background and experience in various union roles) were named as potential candidates for the executive director role. It is unclear at this point if either or both of them will throw their hats into the ring. It is now known, however, that Schaub is in the early running.
