As several NFL stadiums have installed grass fields to comply with FIFA regulations for this summer’s World Cup, the San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle criticized the NFL for continuing to ignore players’ long-standing calls for safer playing surfaces. His outspoken comments even drew a response from Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Caleb Williams Reacts After George Kittle Blasts NFL Over Playing Surfaces
Playing surfaces have become one of the biggest talking points around the NFL, as concerns over injuries on artificial turf continue to intensify.
15 of the league’s 30 stadiums currently use artificial turf, while the other 15 feature either hybrid or natural grass fields. The debate has been intense as more players have questioned whether synthetic surfaces increase the risk of lower-body injuries.
The NFL has consistently maintained that injury rates are relatively comparable between artificial turf and grass, but the NFL Players Association has strongly pushed back on that stance. The union argues that natural grass provides a softer playing surface, reduces stress on players’ bodies, and ultimately helps lower the likelihood of injuries over the course of a long season.
Meanwhile, among the most outspoken advocates for grass fields has been Kittle, who once again made his feelings crystal clear in a statement shared by the NFLPA on social media.
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“We’ve made it clear that we prefer grass fields,” Kittle said in a statement the NFLPA posted on social media. “We know it’s better on our bodies. And clearly, we know it’s possible based on everything that went into putting down grass fields for the World Cup in each stadium.
“At this point, it comes down to the NFL making it a priority and choosing to invest in us as players, because our bodies are our business, which they get to capitalize on!”
Williams shared Kittle’s quote with a telling emoji.
“👀,” Williams posted.
— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) June 27, 2026
Williams’ cryptic tweet hints that he is also on the side of the majority of players demanding grass fields.
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As for Kittle, he has been vocal on the issue for weeks. After watching the United States men’s national team’s World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium, he pointed out that the venue had installed a natural-grass surface for the tournament.
“This grass looks great on Sofi’s field… wonder if we could get that all season,” Kittle posted after the game.
Ironically, Kittle is currently working his way back from a torn Achilles that he suffered on a grass field in Philadelphia during San Francisco’s first playoff game last season. However, the recovery has progressed better than initially expected, and he remains on schedule to return for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. He finished last season ranked No. 5 in PFSN’s TE Impact rankings.
Meanwhile, with the World Cup continuing to feature pristine natural-grass fields at several NFL stadiums, the conversation surrounding playing surfaces is only expected to heat up. The biggest question now is whether the league will respond to the growing pressure and make meaningful changes in the near future.
