Sports · American Football · 2 hrs ago
Aaron Rodgers urges NFL to examine Buccaneers' stadium field
Aaron Rodgers asked the NFL to examine Raymond James Stadium's playing surface after Pittsburgh beat Tampa Bay in overtime.
The Steelers quarterback threw the game-winning touchdown, then said the field felt unsafe.
Rodgers said he had been injured twice on the field in earlier games, though neither injury kept him out of subsequent games.
The stadium uses natural grass and is also used by the University of South Florida team.
Rodgers said the surface could put player safety at risk, a concern the NFL Players Association president has also raised about some types of playing surfaces.
Rodgers is in his final NFL season, and the Steelers now prepare to play the Saints in Paris next Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers urged the NFL to examine Raymond James Stadium’s playing surface, saying it raises player-safety concerns.
He made the comments after the Steelers beat the Buccaneers in overtime on Oct. 18, 2026.
Rodgers said he had been injured twice on the field and believed the turf was a factor both times.
Raymond James Stadium uses natural grass and is also used by the University of South Florida team.
- Who
- Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers quarterback, called for the field to be examined.
- What
- He said the playing surface raised player-safety concerns and needed to be looked at.
- When
- Oct. 18, 2026, after the Steelers’ overtime win.
- Where
- Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
- Why
- Rodgers said he had been injured twice on the field and believed the turf contributed to both injuries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rodgers injured his right shoulder at Raymond James Stadium during a 30-21 Packers loss, but did not miss any games.
Rodgers injured a calf muscle at the stadium during a 20-3 win over the Buccaneers, but was not sidelined.
After the Steelers’ overtime win over the Buccaneers, Rodgers called for the stadium’s playing surface to be examined.
- Stadium
- Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
- Playing surface
- Natural grass
- First injury cited
- Right shoulder, 2008
- Second injury cited
- Calf muscle, 2014
- Game before comments
- Steelers’ overtime win over the Buccaneers, Oct. 18, 2026
2 sources
What people are saying
It's got to be one of the worst playing surfaces in the league. When we're talking about player safety, that's a real concern.
I'm thankful I didn't get hurt today, but I've been injured twice on this field before, and in my opinion, the turf was a factor both times.
From my perspective, it's a field that needs to be looked at because player safety should always come first.