The NFL Players Association is set to vote this weekend on a new executive director to replace Lloyd Howell, who resigned last year amid scandal. JC Tretter, a former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman and union leader, has emerged as one of three finalists alongside Tim Pernetti and David White. Tretter previously served as the union's player president from 2020 to 2024 and as chief strategy officer until Howell's resignation.

Tretter's candidacy has sparked controversy within the union. He resigned in July 2025 following ESPN reports about Howell's secret deals with the NFL and strip-club expenses charged to the union. Some player representatives question how Tretter could be a finalist given the recent turmoil, while others point to his experience and support from the executive committee. The union has faced internal tensions, with anonymous staffers raising concerns about workplace culture.

The election comes two years after Howell's controversial hiring, which Tretter oversaw. That process involved amending the union's constitution to keep finalists confidential, a move Howell's predecessor DeMaurice Smith criticized. As player reps gather in San Diego, the vote represents a pivotal moment for an organization still recovering from Howell's scandal-plagued tenure.