The World Cup Has Exposed the NFL’s Turf Problem. Now It’s Time for Owners to Do Right By Their Players.

Key Points:

• Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury on artificial turf just minutes into the Jets' 2023 season opener, reigniting the debate over grass versus turf playing surfaces in the NFL.
• The NFL Players Association has long advocated for a league-wide mandate to install natural grass fields, citing data showing significantly higher injury rates on artificial turf, but 14 of 30 NFL stadiums still use turf.
• Many NFL stadiums, including MetLife Stadium where Rodgers was injured, will temporarily install natural grass for the 2026 World Cup to meet FIFA standards, highlighting the league's willingness to accommodate grass for international soccer but not for its own players.
• Financial considerations, such as higher installation and maintenance costs for grass and the multipurpose use of stadiums, are the primary reasons NFL owners resist switching from turf to grass despite player safety concerns.
• The NFL generates over $23 billion in revenue and could afford the transition to grass fields, but the league has yet to prioritize player health to the extent FIFA has, prompting calls for change to reduce injuries and protect players.