Bengals keep up with the Joneses thanks to new artificial turf, but not without a troubling reminder
The Cincinnati Bengals are joining the rest of the NFL with an important change starting this season.Cincinnati is installing new turf at Paycor Stadium, specifically a FieldTurf CORE system field. "The selection comes after a thorough review process that considered the major players in the artificial turf industry, collaboration with the NFL and its testing […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are joining the rest of the NFL with an important change starting this season.
Cincinnati is installing new turf at Paycor Stadium, specifically a FieldTurf CORE system field.
"The selection comes after a thorough review process that considered the major players in the artificial turf industry, collaboration with the NFL and its testing requirements, and stadium and football experts," the Bengals said in their official statement. "Player safety and performance data drove the selection of a monofilament product, consistent with NFL recommendations."
With this change, the Bengals are the last team to have officially moved on from Slit-Film turf, which has been recognized as an unpopular field for players. NFLPA president JC Tretter called for a ban of the playing surface back in 2022, and Travis and Jason Kelce joined the movement in 2023.
The move away from Slit-Film turf is a positive, but there is a potential drawback to this change.
Among the teams to already be using FieldTurf CORE are the New York Jets, who watched their quarterback Aaron Rodgers fall victim to the proverbial turf monster last season and tear his achilles.
That's the last thing anyone wants to think about after Joe Burrow dealt with a calf sprain for several weeks last season.
Other clubs such as the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots also have the same playing surface.
Artificial turf as a whole is always likely carry its negatives, but it would be an even worse look for the Bengals if they held on to the specific turf that's been alienated out of the league.
Progress is progress. Here's hoping their luck is better than New York's.
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