NFL players may collectively bargain for grass fields in future negotiations but it would come at a cost

Armando Salguero details why John Harbaugh is under more pressure this year in the NFL

Days after the FIFA World Cup Tournament left some of its American NFL venues with the pristine grass fields it installed, the change back to synthetic turf normalcy has already begun. And that's unwelcome news for NFL players.

That is why the NFL Players Association will consider whether to make a requirement for grass fields across the NFL a top-tier demand in future collective bargaining negotiations with the league, according to a union source.

A final decision on that approach is not imminent, the source said.

Spain's Borja Iglesias celebrates with Rodri after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (David J. Phillip/AP)

FORMER NFL TIGHT END GREG OLSEN WEIGHS IN ON LEAGUE'S TWO BIGGEST CONTROVERSIES HEADING INTO 2026

The reason this is an issue now is that NFL players watched World Cup matches on grass fields played in six NFL stadiums that normally house artificial turf. The last of those happened Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where the Final between Argentina and Spain was decided on a field sodded with North Carolina Bermuda grass.

And that made the NFL players long for the grass fields they believe are easier on their bodies and perhaps mitigate some injuries.

But MetLife will be converted back to turf in the coming weeks in preparation for the New York Giants and New York Jets to play preseason and regular-season games and the five other venues that hosted World Cup games have already torn out the million-dollar grass fields and replaced them with man-made turf.

Workers install the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World