Jonathan Taylor's time to step on the gridiron is just around the corner. Unfortunately for the running back, the 2026 gridiron can vary wildly depending on where the game is located. Many stadiums use turf for games, which many believe is not only uncomfortable for players but also poses an injury risk.
Taylor and the rest of NFL players saw their stadiums transition away from turf to natural grass for the FIFA World Cup, raising frustration as those same stadiums are set to return to turf for NFL games. Taylor raised his frustrations in a post on X on Friday, dropping an exclamation mark.
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Fans reacted to Taylor joining the WorthTheCost trend, a national effort to pressure owners into moving to natural grass. Some pressed Taylor to sacrifice in negotiations to get it done.
Other fans backed Taylor wholeheartedly and called on the back to do whatever it takes, using any method possible.
Taylor's frustration post is likely a last-gasp effort to have anything done in time for the 2026 season. Based on how slow changes can be made at times, any wins now may not see an effect for months or even into 2027. With turf likely here to stay for the foreseeable future, Taylor will have plenty of artificial surfaces lying in wait in his future.
While battling hard hits will be what most think of as the most brutal and taxing part of Jonathan Taylor's upcoming job, he will be taking those hits on turf for much of the year. Including preseason matchups, Taylor is expected to set foot on turf in every home matchup. He also will step on turf in four different road matchups this season.
Via an Aug. 30, 2023 NBC Bay Area count of artificial turf stadiums, road games against the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots will see Taylor step on another team's turf. As such, Taylor could play in as many as 13 contests on artificial turf this season before the postseason.
If the Indianapolis Colts reach the Super Bowl, which takes place in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, the team will be forced to win it on fake grass.
Will Jonathan Taylor be able to change any minds with his public condemnation of turf?
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