The NFL Players Association wants to see every NFL team change their stadium fields from artificial turf to grass. 

Well, in 2021, the Carolina Panthers changed their field from grass to artificial turf. And since the change, the Panthers have routinely been called out for having an unsafe field that feels like playing on concrete. 

All of the grass versus artificial turf talk was spurred by the injury to New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tore his Achilles on the fourth play of his season Monday night. 

Many believe the injury happened because Rodgers was playing on artificial turf. Wednesday morning, NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell issued a statement calling for all NFL teams to play on natural grass.

"It makes no sense stadiums can flip over to superior grass surfaces when the World Cup comes, or soccer clubs come to visit for exhibition games," the statement reads. "But inferior artificial surfaces are acceptable for our own players." 

In 2021 the Carolina Panthers' Bank of America Stadium turf was, according to some Detroit Lions players, like playing on "concrete."

The NFL uses a tool called the 'Clegg' test which measures the hardness of the field. The Panthers field failed the test, said NFLPA Preside J.C. Tretter. However, the game was played anyway. 

"Instead of delaying the game or finding another way to fix the issue, the league gave the green light to kick off the game as scheduled," Tretter said.

"Afterward, the league told us that late in the first half, the field finally did fall below the 100g max. But the fact remains that the players in that game had to play on a field that the league acknowledges was not safe. That is beyond frustrating to players and unacceptable in the eyes of our union."

The Panthers switched from grass to turf citing increased activity at the stadium. With turf, resodding the field isn't an issue, like it was before. 

However, recent studies have found that injuries are twice as likely when playing on artificial turf. So, the Panthers will now have to weigh the cost of a field versus the well-being of its players. 

And after an injury to a start like Rodgers, it doesn't appear that the NFL Players Association will let billionaire NFL owners off the hook for artificial turf much longer.

Aaron Rodgers injury could force NFL to make major change

It’s an interesting debate, for sure.

Feature image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.