Jul 18, 2026, 3:17 AM CUT

Caleb Williams calls out NFL over alarming player safety situation

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 17: Caleb Williams 18 of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a NFL, American Football Herren, USA preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 17, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire NFL: AUG 17 Preseason Bills at Bears EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250817091

Caleb Williams is adding his voice to one of the NFL's biggest player safety debates. Ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, the Bears quarterback joined dozens of players urging the league to replace artificial turf with permanent grass fields.

According to the NFLPA-backed campaign, players across the league posted on social media using the hashtag #WorthTheCost. The renewed push comes after several NFL stadiums temporarily installed natural grass to host World Cup matches.

“Why can't we have this too?” Williams posted a photo on social media with the #WorthTheCost hashtag on July 17.

Caleb Williams' post on X urged other NFL players to raise the issue.

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 02: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams 18 before the game against the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 2, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA NOV 02 Bears at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251102068

"If stadiums can make grass work for the World Cup, they can make it work for NFL players. We're #WorthTheCost," Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil wrote on X.

The campaign centers on a simple argument. If stadiums can install grass for international soccer, players believe they should be willing to do the same for NFL games.

It gained momentum after FIFA required all 11 NFL stadiums hosting World Cup matches to install natural grass. Seven of those venues normally use artificial turf and are expected to switch back once the tournament ends.

The NFL Players Association said the temporary change proves stadiums have the ability to use grass if owners choose to invest in it.

"The cost of doing nothing is paid for by players' bodies," Green Bay Packers' Zaire Franklin posted. "Make grass mandatory. We're #WorthTheCost."

However, the conversation goes beyond social media.

NFLPA says players have made their preference clear

The NFLPA released a statement earlier this summer arguing that owners have already shown that grass fields can work when international events require them.

"The temporary installation of natural grass fields for the World Cup is a choice by certain NFL team owners to do for soccer players what they refuse to do for NFL players," the NFLPA said in a statement.

They also shared results from a player survey involving more than 1,700 members. According to the NFLPA, 92 percent preferred natural grass, while only 2 percent favored synthetic turf.

The NFLPA has continued to push for league-wide grass fields, while the NFL disagrees with the NFLPA's stance, saying injury data from the 2025 season showed little difference between grass and turf.

League officials have cited several reasons for keeping turf fields. They have pointed to the cost of maintaining natural grass, along with the challenges of using it in indoor stadiums and multi-purpose venues.

Still, many players continue to favor natural grass. Williams has now added his voice to that growing group.

What do you think? Should the NFL listen to Caleb Williams and the NFLPA and make natural grass mandatory for all stadiums? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore