The New York Giants and Jets will play on a new synthetic field at MetLife Stadium this year after players raised injury concerns.
The synthetic surface at the stadium in East Rutherford has regularly been cited as one of the worst in the league.
Last season, the Giants lost Sterling Shepard to a season-ending ACL injury when they hosted the Dallas Cowboys there.
Ravens cornerback Kyle Fuller also succumbed to a season-ending injury there on the opening day of the season, while Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas suffered the same fate in 2020.
A new monofilament turf is being laid down this summer in a bid to make the surface gentler and less likely to cause injuries.
“The players have been vocal and clear about this issue and it is a good step to hear them that change needs to be made,” said the NFLPA. “We expect that whatever surface gets installed next year will meet the highest safety and performance standards possible.”
Stadium owners hope to switch to grass in time for the 2026 World Cup, with MetLife Stadium chosen to host the final of the soccer tournament, which the USA is co-hosting along with Canada and Mexico.
“My hope is we can get to a day at some point in the future when we can have a grass field that we’re able to maintain with two different teams and all the other events we have,” said Giants co-owner John Mara.