The Buffalo Bills spent $2.2 billion on the new Highmark Stadium, but it seems like the adjustment period could have one dangerous consequence.
The Bills played their first NFL game on the new Highmark Stadium field when they hosted the Carolina Panthers in a 29-14 win on August 15.
While the swanky new stadium was impressive in many places, the new natural Kentucky Bluegrass field showed some growing pains with NFL action under it.
Anonymous player slams state of the Bills’ new field
The Athletic revealed that an anonymous player had a simple way of highlighting the state of the new field, while acknowledging it likely will improve over time.
“The field is a– right now,” said one player who didn’t want to be identified. “But it’s early.”
There was a concerning play during the game at the end of the first quarter when backup Bills QB Kyle Allen was pinched near the sideline by Panthers CB Chau Smith-Wade.
That impact led to a massive clump of grass, with roots and dirt, flying into the air. The game had to be paused as star QB Josh Allen, DJ Moore, Dion Dawkins, and Spencer Brown tried to repair it.
This was a very concerning moment, as these instances can cause serious injuries if the players are in even slightly different positions.
It’ll also be fascinating to see the franchise having to protect a grass field from the infamous Buffalo winter for the first time in their history.
Bills switch from turf to natural grass field for the first time
The old Highmark Stadium field was on artificial turf, but the new field has switched to natural grass, given that most players prefer grass fields for their performance and health benefits.
The Bills are accepting the operational cost of maintaining a natural grass field, but there will be some teething issues as the grass matures under the stadium and builds stronger roots after first being installed in October 2025.
Having a grass field is still preferred to the old turf they used to play on, especially with the harsh winters that Buffalo faces, but the field will take some time before it is of the quality of older grass fields
This was just preseason, so the Bills have an opportunity to learn from bad moments and better reinforce their field for the toll the regular season will take.
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