MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Giants, has come under scrutiny once again as NFL players voice their concerns regarding the stadium’s artificial turf. Jaxson Dart, the Giants’ quarterback, expressed a strong preference for maintaining the natural grass that was temporarily installed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His comments highlight growing calls within the NFL community for safer playing surfaces in light of injury concerns linked to artificial turf.
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Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE prior to the World Cup final on July 19, Dart shared his enthusiasm about MetLife Stadium hosting the climactic match between Spain and Argentina, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Spaniards. The young quarterback expressed hope that the grass would remain for the upcoming NFL season. “This is special,” Dart remarked, noting the significance of the event and emphasising the need for a safer playing environment. “Hopefully, we get to keep the grass. That’s my hope… we got to keep it during the football season.”
Dart’s plea reflects a broader trend among NFL players advocating for grass fields over artificial surfaces. This push was amplified earlier that week when fellow athletes like Caleb Williams from the Chicago Bears and Laremy Tunsil of the Washington Commanders took to social media, rallying support for the #WorthTheCost campaign. They assert that if venues can successfully transition to grass for the World Cup, they should do the same for football. “If stadiums can make grass work for the World Cup, they can make it work for NFL players,” Tunsil tweeted, reiterating the importance of prioritising player safety.
Criticism of MetLife Stadium’s artificial turf has been mounting, particularly after several players sustained injuries on the surface. Notably, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur highlighted the excessive hardness of the turf after running back Josh Jacobs faced a knee injury during a game last November. Dart’s own teammate, Malik Nabers, suffered a devastating ACL injury while playing at home, further intensifying the debate over the turf’s safety. An unnamed executive from a competing team previously remarked that players are “petrified” of playing on MetLife’s FieldTurf.
As Dart gears up for his second season in the league, he emphasises the well-being of his teammates as a top priority. After a successful rookie year, he expressed excitement about returning to play with a fully fit squad. “I think the biggest thing is just obviously getting all my boys back healthy,” he said. He expressed confidence in the team culture being fostered by head coach John Harbaugh.
Another member of the Giants, running back Cam Skattebo, is currently working to recover from a severe ankle injury sustained last October. During a recent public appearance, Skattebo, who playfully attempted some backflips, reassured fans that he would avoid further injuries before the season commences. “I will not hurt myself before the season,” he declared, addressing audience concerns.
As anticipation builds for the Giants’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on September 13 at MetLife Stadium, the question of playing surface safety remains at the forefront of player conversations. With Dart and his teammates advocating for a shift towards grass, the push for safer playing conditions may finally see some traction in the league.
The push for grass fields is not just an isolated sentiment but reflects a growing movement driven by those on the front lines of the sport. Safety, it appears, is becoming a central issue as players prepare for what promises to be a competitive season ahead. The outcome of this debate could very well shape the future of NFL playing conditions as more voices join the call for change.