Acrisure Stadium was the epicenter of the bad NFL playing surface conversation last year after an abysmal showing between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. But that’s far from the only stadium to draw criticism with an ongoing debate between natural grass and artificial turf.
Multiple notable Steelers players expressed their opinion on the matter in light of the FIFA World Cup being a catalyst for upgraded playing surfaces at NFL stadiums.
“We know grass is possible because we’ve seen stadiums make the change. Players are #WorthTheCost,” Patrick Queen wrote on X.
We know grass is possible because we’ve seen stadiums make the change. Players are #WorthTheCost.
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) July 17, 2026
Cameron Heyward was quick to back him up, quoting his post with four megaphone symbols to emphasize that he agreed.
This is part of a coordinated effort from the NFLPA to apply pressure on the league and individual owners to upgrade.
NFL players are asking for the same commitment made by team owners and FIFA for the World Cup fields to be made in prioritizing NFL players’ preference to play on natural grass. https://t.co/4X0aRndEB7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2026
The Steelers play on a natural grass surface, but not all are made equal. Last year’s natural surface turned into a dry sandy mess against the Browns due to a combination of bad weather earlier in the week and the overuse of the field. The Pittsburgh Panthers share the field on Saturdays for college football. Even high school teams occasionally play there.
While Pittsburgh upgraded its surface this offseason to hopefully improve performance, some think it has more to do with overuse than the type of surface itself. Ironically, this is probably one of the best arguments in favor of artificial turf, which requires much less upkeep to have a safe and fair playing surface.
Artificial surfaces are thought to have an increased occurrence of knee and ankle injuries due to the added traction between players’ cleats and the turf, which can cause feet to stick in place while the rest of the body continues moving. MetLife Stadium in New York has drawn criticism over the years for the perception of increased injuries on its field.
If you ask Queen and Heyward and much of the rest of the league, natural grass is by far the preferred surface. It’s more expensive to take care of and replace, but players want safety above all.
In Pittsburgh’s case, limiting use aside from the Steelers and increasing how frequently they replace the surface is the next step.
As the NFLPA Executive Committee Vice President, Cameron Heyward may have the influence to help bring about meaningful change.
