The 2026 FIFA World Cup inserted an interesting talking point into NFL circles. With 11 NFL stadiums (not Lambeau Field, where the Green Bay Packers play) hosting World Cup matches, seven of the playing surfaces had to be temporarily converted from synthetic or artificial turf fields to natural grass.
With only two games left to be played, NFL stadiums have begun converting back to turf, and players aren’t happy about it. One athlete who recognized the changes taking place is Packers star tight end Tucker Kraft. What he had to say could irk other players around the NFL.
Tucker Kraft Boasts About Packers’ Playing Surface
Several independent studies have shown that athletes suffer fewer lower-body injuries, such as Achilles tears and torn ACLs, on natural grass surfaces compared to playing on turf. Yet, likely for financial reasons, not all of the NFL’s stadiums have switched to playing on grass at all times.
It’s become one of the biggest controversies league-wide, and it’s not exactly one the NFL loves talking about. They’ve seen the studies, they know the numbers. But the NFL is also a business that always keeps its bottom line in mind.
Yet Kraft admitted on X that he doesn’t like how the league operates regarding the playing surfaces. He believes all NFL players should have the benefit of playing on the same grass surfaces, whether they’re performing at home or away. With that said, he’s thankful to play for one of the franchises that values having a safer grass surface.
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“Green Bay Packers are spoiled since we play on the greatest surface in the NFL,” Kraft said. “Natural grass is the best, and should be the only surface we play on. We are #WorthTheCost”
Green Bay Packers are spoiled since we play on the greatest surface in the NFL. Natural grass is the best, and should be the only surface we play on. We are #WorthTheCost
— Tucker Kraft (@TuckerKraft) July 17, 2026
Kraft tore his ACL last season, so it’s no surprise that he’s extra passionate about this topic. Yet, ironically, his torn ACL took place on Lambeau Field, on a natural grass field. Despite the injury, Kraft’s 80.7 PFN Impact Score ranked him as the fourth-best tight end last season. His loss had a heavy impact on how Green Bay’s offense operated in the 10 games played without him.
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While his injury took place on grass, Kraft’s larger point remains true. The NFL should care more about ensuring its best players are available more often. In this case, that means providing safer playing fields for all 32 teams, rather than owners picking and choosing whether they want their players to perform on grass or turf.
Plus, several NFL teams just showed that they’re plenty capable of providing a natural grass field for the FIFA World Cup; why can’t they do the same for the sport that the stadium was built to support? There’s gotta be a way to figure this out and make the players happy.
