Browns Player Calls Acrisure Stadium Field 'Worst' He's Ever Played On

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 4:24 PM ET

There's no love lost between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, whether it's before they play or after they play. But one Browns player had a criticism of the Steelers' Acrisure Stadium that may go beyond a mere rivalry issue.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio complained about the field conditions at the Steelers' home stadium. He called it "the worst field" he's ever played on and "embarrassing" that NFL teams play on surface.

“That’s the worst field I’ve played on,” Bitonio said, via ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "It was kind of embarrassing that the National Football League, the best in the world, is playing on that.”

Browns LG Joel Bitonio on the field conditions at Acrisure Stadium last Sunday: “That’s the worst field I’ve played on. … it was kind of embarrassing that the National Football League, the best in the world, is playing on that.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) October 16, 2025

You could probably chalk that up to standard division rival trash-talk, but Bitonio is far from the only person who's expressed that view.

Even Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has complained that his team's playing surface is "borderline unplayable" these days.

The conditions on the field were so bad that the NFL Players Association was reportedly contacted by members of both teams after their most recent game to complain about the conditions, per ProFootballTalk. The NFLPA, in turn, has forwarded its concerns to the league office.

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Elevated view of Heinz Field with the Pittsburgh skyline background at dusk, as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the New York Jets on December 12, 2004 in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jerry Driendl/Getty Images)Jerry Driendl/Getty Images

Causes and Solutions

Some attributed the poor conditions on Sunday to Acrisure Stadium's shared usage with the Pittsburgh Panthers college football team. While Pitt may have been down in Tallahassee this past weekend, they did use the venue more recently than the Steelers prior to Sunday's game.

The solution is fairly simple though: NFL owners need to invest significantly more money in grass fields that are well-maintained.

While Acrisure Stadium is already ahead of multiple NFL teams that don't even have grass and instead use artificial turf or hybrid turf, it's clear that a change needs to come soon. The Steelers and Panthers are far more likely to be victimized by their own playing surface than their opponents are.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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