Cover image created using Google Gemini, depicting a cursed NFL field

This article investigates the growing injury crisis at MetLife Stadium, examining how artificial turf, league decisions, and financial incentives intersect to create one of the NFL’s most controversial player-safety issues. Some visuals included in this piece were generated using AI.

Since 2020, an astounding 15 NFL players have suffered season ending injuries at MetLife stadium. This year, second year New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers, who was positioning himself as one of the leagues best, suffered a season ending torn ACL. In 2020, three San Francisco 49er’s players suffered season ending injuries on the same day. Star pass rushers Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas suffered  torn ACL’s, and then quarterback Jimmy Garrapolo suffered a high ankle sprain, which caused him to miss six weeks, which was almost half the season. 

In the first game of the 2023 season, superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles on the first drive of the game with his new team. Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Jaelan Phillips also suffered an achilles injury in 2023 when he played for the Miami Dolphins.

Pictured: Aaron Rodgers moments after tearing his achilles (photo via ABC)

MetLife Stadium has relied on artificial turf since it first opened in 2010. Following years of complaints from players, coaches, and even opposing teams, the stadium installed a new surface called FieldTurf Core HD in 2023, in an effort to reduce injury rates and improve overall field performance. The change was meant to tackle long-standing issues with traction, surface hardness, and lower-body injuries. However despite the upgrade, reports and player feedback soon indicated that the new turf failed to deliver meaningful improvements, and MetLife maintains its reputation as one of the league’s most problematic fields. Fans even began to say on social media that the field is “cursed” due to the amount of injuries that happen. 

What do the numbers look like?

The NFL has faced lots of scrutiny for its handling of artificial turf vs grass. Some stadiums switched to grass for the Fifa World Cup, but switched back to turf once the NFL season started (MetLife was one of these stadiums).

It is estimated that Metlife stadium spent $1-2 million on their artificial turf. According to the New York Times, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority approved $400,000 to be loaned to Metlife to install turf before the Fifa World Cup games. 

According to Sports Venue Calculator, the maintenance cost of turf can exceed $60,000-100,000, while natural grass costs can range from $18,000-44,000. While it might seem simple to switch to grass because of this point, turfs utilization time is also an important factor. With turf, it can be used for almost 28,000 hours, compared to only 8,000 with artificial grass. That means turf can be used for almost three times longer than grass, which is a big factor for major stadiums. 

Pictured: Grass VS Artifical turf (photo via My Backyard Sports)

According to Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Equipment, supplies, and labor costs can range from $23,250-$127,00 for synthetic turf, and from $42,800-$205,500 for natural grass. This nearly double increase in upkeep for natural grass explains why many NFL owners favor synthetic turf despite ongoing debates over player safety. For stadium operators, the long-term savings on maintenance, staffing, and field recovery time can be a major financial incentive to choose turf over grass.

In December of 2022, Forbes released an article in which it was stated that the NFL could spend $11.9 million in order to save $1 billion, if it were to switch to grass.

The Associated Press was cited in Forbes article, with it being reported the cost for 15 of the 30 NFL stadiums to switch would be an estimated $850,000 overall. While $850,000 may seem small relative to overall NFL revenues, it reflects the complex process involved in removing existing turf, installing new systems, and ensuring the surface meets league safety standards.

In regards to the $1 billion, that is how much former NFL players were paid after a concussion lawsuit was filed. A similar lawsuit could be in the leagues future, especially with the leagues star players consistently suffering season ending injuries as a result of artificial turf. 

Due to most professional stadiums doubling as concert venues, many owners opt for the artificial turf so it is easier to take care of and does not have to be replaced as much. Natural grass requires significant preparation  such as placing heavy protective layers before a concert, and then several days of recovery and maintenance afterward. For example, a concert with 50,000 people standing on the field can compact or kill large swaths of grass.

What do the players say? 

If you were to search through the internet, you will see almost ZERO players advocating for artificial turf. Aaron Rodgers has been a strong voice for switching to grass since 2021, but he then cited the lack of confidence in the NFL to make the change. Rodgers’ comments then are still echo’d throughout today, with former Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr also being outspoken about how bad the turf at Metlife is. 

While finances are always a major factor in stadium upkeep—and in the multibillion-dollar business that is the NFL—there is a far more important priority that owners SHOULD place above cost: the health and safety of their players. These athletes are the product, entertainment, and foundation of the league’s success. Yet the ongoing reluctance to invest in safer playing surfaces reflects a troubling lack of respect for the people whose bodies absorb the consequences. When the conversation focuses more on budgets than on reducing preventable injuries, it sends a clear message that player well-being is secondary to profit margins.

References

Carroll, C. and Anzidei, M. (2024). MetLife Stadium to put in grass field for 2026 World Cup, stick with turf for NFL season. The New York Times. [online] 25 Mar. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5367610/2024/03/25/metlife-grass-field-world-cup-copa-america/.

Sports Venue Calculator (2021). How much do turf football fields cost? – Sports Venue Calculator. [online] Sports Venue Calculator. Available at: https://sportsvenuecalculator.com/knowledge/artificial-turf-field/how-much-do-turf-football-fields-cost/.

​​Costs: Grass Vs. Synthetic Turf — Safe Healthy Playing Fields Coalition (2014). Safe Healthy Playing Fields Coalition​. [online] Safe Healthy Playing Fields Coalition​. Available at: https://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/cost-grass-vs-synthetic-turf.‌

AP News. (2022). Rodgers, NFL players urge league to nix turf, go with grass. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/new-york-jets-carolina-panthers-nfl-sports-aaron-rodgers-1d22c7efbe62ff9d58d1df1a1f45ee47.

News, A. (2023). Aaron Rodgers: Achilles’ tendon Injury led to ‘toughest 24-hour stretches of my life’. [online] ABC News. Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/world-news-tonight-with-david-muirT/video/aaron-rodgers-achilles-tendon-injury-led-toughest-24-103238722 [Accessed 18 Nov. 2025].

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