MetLife Stadium’s heavily examined playing surface will be replaced in 2023, but it will still not be grass.
MetLife Stadium said in a statement to ESPN on Thursday, “We analyze our field each season and replace our playing surface every three to four years on average.” “We have decided to replace the field in 2023 and are currently evaluating bids from different vendors for a new artificial surface.”
Julian Love, Giants safety, told NJ Advance Media, “statistics indicate that we are playing on one of the poorest fields in the league.”
Since Sterling Shepard’s season-ending ACL injury on September 27 against the Cowboys, the surface, which is currently a variant of FieldTurf, has received a great deal of criticism this season.
It was the most recent in a series of injuries involving MetLife athletes. Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas suffered torn ACLs in Week 2 of the 2020 season against the Jets. Kyle Fuller, a cornerback for the Ravens, tore his ACL in the season opener against the Jets in 2022. He was out for the year.
Thomas, a current member of the Jets, has been among those requesting a change at MetLife.
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Solomon Thomas, a lineman for the Jets, told The Post following Shepard’s accident, “I don’t think the NFL should have turf fields.” “I believe that we should have grass fields like the English Premier League. On grass grounds, the risk of non-contact injury is much greater… I believe we should have stronger protection as players.”
According to data analyzed by ESPN, non-contact injuries to the knee, ankle, and foot occur at nearly the same rate on artificial turf as natural grass. The evidence contradicts what players have said about converting to grass surfaces in response to high-profile turf-related injuries.
Despite this, the NFLPA is pleased that at least the MetLife turf is being improved.
The NFLPA said in a statement to ESPN, “The players have been vocal and clear about this issue, and it is a positive step to hear them say that change is necessary.” “However, the move will come too late for players who will be at increased risk for the remainder of the season. We anticipate that whichever surface is laid next year will fulfill the highest possible criteria for safety and performance.”