The Pittsburgh Steelers have high hopes for their 2025 season, with Aaron Rodgers at the spotlight of an AFC squad for the first time in his career. As Mike Tomlin’s squad eyes a run at a playoff spot, however, there’s been some causes for concern in Pittsburgh that are unrelated to the team itself.

After Week 6 of the 2025 season, when the Steelers hosted the Cleveland Browns, members of both squads expressed their displeasures with the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium. 

Various well-known players commented on the rough conditions of the field in Pittsburgh, which resulted in the NFL Player’s Association even expressing its concern to the league.

Here’s what to know about the field conditions at Acrisure Stadium and what players said about it. 

MORE: Ranking the 19 greatest Steelers players ever, from T.J. Watt to ‘Mean’ Joe Greene 

Steelers stadium field issues

Following the Steelers’ Week 6 victory over the Browns at Acrisure Stadium, a 23-9 win that included 235 passing yards for Rodgers and 100 team rushing yards, various players expressed to reporters that they did not like the field conditions throughout the game.

Acrisure Stadium was already scheduled to be resodded after Week 6, per ESPN, but players reportedly described the conditions as “dry.” According to ESPN, Steelers offensive lineman Broderick Jones was one of multiple players who said they “kicked up chunks of grass” when they made quick movements.

By that point, the Steelers had played just one home game against the Seattle Seahawks in September. Even visibly, there were clear signs of wear and tear on the field. The Steelers also share a stadium with Pitt Football in the ACC.

Pittsburgh’s kicker, Chris Boswell, slipped on the grass during Week 6 when he went to attempt a field goal, which he missed. Additionally, special teams player Miles Killebrew suffered a noncontact knee injury that will end his 2025 season after planting on the field, with his knee giving out.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the field conditions the following Monday, also calling them “poor.”

“I’m not concerned going forward,” Tomlin said, per ESPN. “It’s my understanding that that turf is going to be swapped out, but I certainly acknowledge it was a concern yesterday.”

Rodgers called the field conditions “borderline unplayable.” Cameron Heyward, a defensive captain and NFLPA representative for the Steelers, also said he prefers grass to turf fields, but “that wasn’t grass for playing.”

A source from the NFLPA spoke to ESPN about how critical the quality of grass is on NFL fields.

“Players prefer grass fields, but all grass surfaces aren’t equal,” the source told ESPN. “The conditions at Acrisure Stadium underscore why players have pushed for high-quality grass fields, and why the NFLPA continues to push for improved, shared maintenance practices of grass fields across the league.” 

Additionally, the source told ESPN that the concerns over Acrisure Stadium’s field have been “conveyed” to the NFL, with the aim of players not being “put in that position going forward.”

However, when the Steelers then entered an away week following the Browns game, the playing surface was replaced so it would be ready for Oct. 26 when the team hosted the Green Bay Packers. Per CBS Sports, the process of replacing the field began as soon as Week 6 ended.

When asked in a follow-up if there were concerns about the field conditions for Week 8 after the previous issues, Tomlin didn’t have much to say.

“I’m not a grass expert. I haven’t cut my own grass in a long, long time. I coach football, I’m gonna stay in my lane. I don’t even know who cuts my grass,” Tomlin said.

Pittsburgh will play its first game since replacing the playing surface on Oct. 26 against the Packers.

MORE: How the Steelers have struggled on Thursday nights under Mike Tomlin

Does Steelers stadium use turf or grass?

Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field, uses a natural grass field, specifically a blend of Kentucky bluegrass. The stadium has drawn criticism for its field conditions before, but Steelers players have also supported keeping the natural grass in Pittsburgh vs. replacing it for turf.

After suffering a concussion at Heinz Field in 2009, Ben Roethlisberger said: “I’m glad we weren’t on FieldTurf. That grass — you know, the soft Heinz Field—might’ve helped a little bit.”

MORE: How Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco turned back the clock in Week 7 matchup

How many NFL stadiums still have artificial turf?

There are 12 NFL Stadiums used by 14 teams that use artificial turf as of 2025, although the types of artificial turfs vary by stadium. The stadiums with artificial turf are below:

  • Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field, 
  • Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Buffalo Bills, Highmark Stadium
  • Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium
  • Cincinnati Bengals, Paul Brown Stadium
  • Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium
  • Detroit Lions, Ford Field
  • Houston Texans, NRG Stadium
  • Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium
  • Los Angeles Rams / Los Angeles Chargers, SoFi Stadium
  • New Orleans Saints, Caesars Superdome
  • New York Giants / New York Jets, MetLife Stadium

MORE: Why MetLife Stadium field has earned reputation for severe injuries

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