The turf war in Pittsburgh is heating up. But it’s not the kind that happens on the field. Players from both the Steelers and Browns have voiced serious frustration over the “embarrassing” playing surface at Acrisure Stadium during Week 6. The concerns are now reaching the NFL Players Association. When asked about the situation, head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t bite. Instead, he deflected classically:“I’m not a grass expert. I haven’t cut my own grass in a long, long time. I’m gonna stay in my lane. I don’t even know who cuts my grass.” That comment raised eyebrows across the league. While most players and coaches were calling out the unsafe field conditions, Tomlin’s refusal to weigh in came off as avoidance. Especially as one of his biggest stars, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, spoke candidly about it.

Rodgers didn’t hold back, calling the surface “borderline unplayable” ahead of the Steelers’ matchup against the Bengals. For a player known for his precision and field awareness, that kind of warning says a lot. But Rodgers isn’t the only one talking. The same sentiment was echoed by several players who described the field as “dry” and unstable throughout the game.

Steelers offensive lineman Broderick Jones described the turf as unstable. Saying players “kicked up chunks of grass” every time they made explosive movements. The backlash even drew official attention. League spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed that the NFL “has been in touch with both the union and the club, which has taken steps to replace the grass surface.” The process to resod the field began immediately after Sunday’s game against the Browns.

Even Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during that time acknowledged the poor conditions. “I thought it was poor [Sunday],” Tomlin said Monday. “I’m not concerned going forward. It’s my understanding that that turf is going to be swapped out, but I certainly acknowledge it was a concern yesterday.”

That concern was more than justified. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell slipped on the turf and missed a key fourth-quarter field goal attempt. Special teams captain Miles Killebrew suffered a significant noncontact knee injury after planting his foot awkwardly on the surface.

Veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward also spoke out, saying he still prefers grass to turf but that what players experienced Sunday was unacceptable. “I like grass, but that wasn’t grass for playing,” Heyward said, adding that the field fell well below NFL standards.

The league has tried to downplay the outrage. Noting that last season’s injury data showed “no difference in injury rates between synthetic turf and grass surfaces,” and even fewer ACL injuries on turf compared to grass. But to players, the data doesn’t tell the full story.

Outcry over Acrisure Field grows as Mike Tomlin stays silent

An NFLPA source echoed Heyward’s comments, stressing that the quality of grass matters more than the surface label. “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 advocate for improved, shared maintenance practices of grass fields across the league.”

Acrisure Stadium’s condition has long been complicated by shared use. The Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh both call the venue home. While the Steelers had only played one home game since mid-September, Pitt had already hosted four of its first five games there. That heavy early-season use likely contributed to the worn-out middle of the field, which looked beaten down despite no games being played in the two weeks prior.

Still, the situation has forced immediate action. When Pitt and the Steelers return from their road trips, both will take the field on fresh grass. Pitt is hosting North Carolina State on October 25, followed by the Steelers facing the Green Bay Packers.

And while Tomlin says he’s “not a grass expert,” his players and the league are making sure the problem is no longer brushed under the rug.