Former NFL QB blasts MetLife Stadium turf after Jets-Giants debacle

On Monday, retired running back and CBS Sports NFL commentator Tiki Barber heavily criticized the turf found at MetLife Stadium after multiple New York Giants and New York Jets players suffered injuries this past Sunday. 

Former Jets quarterback and current "The NFL Today" analyst Boomer Esiason echoed Barber's take on Tuesday. 

"A couple times, [Jets punter Thomas Morstead] put the ball inside the 10-yard line," Esiason explained during a segment on the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" program, according to Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "He had a great game, but the ball is not supposed to hit the ground and stick there on that particular surface...I just wonder, I really wonder about the turf field. I wonder what’s going on over there." 

The Giants and Jets installed the FieldTurf Core System this past offseason and, per ESPN, are the only teams using that particular artificial surface in 2023. Some blamed the turf after Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles at MetLife Stadium in Week 1 on Sept. 11, and Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson called the surface "garbage" after he experienced an injury scare in Week 6 on Oct. 15.

"Guys like Garrett Wilson are complaining," Esiason continued. "When you start looking at it, over and over again, guys are getting hurt on this field. They’re not getting hurt somewhere else. The Jets are having a hard time keeping people healthy." 

Barber mentioned on Monday that money NFL team owners save by not having to maintain all-grass fields throughout seasons is essentially wasted on salaries going to players who suffer injuries related to turf. Meanwhile, Esiason hinted Jets players and coaches aren't thrilled with MetLife Stadium this fall. 

"I know for a fact, in those buildings over there, I know with the Jets...there is a real issue with the playing surface," Esiason said. "The players have it, the coaches have it...there’s something going on." 

Whatever is or isn't "going on" with the venue the Giants and Jets call home won't be remedied before the offseason. It remains to be seen if players can convince ownership to embrace a different type of field before next season.