Former Giants OC Sean Payton Predicts Major Change to NFL Standard

Sean Payton has been around for so long, there's a whole generation who has forgotten he was the offensive coordinator for a New York GiantsSuper Bowl team.

Yet, Payton has also seen a lot in his more than 25 years in the league, and the Denver Broncos head coach predicted recently the NFL will adopt a natural-grass standard for all 32 stadiums.

Payton has coached the Broncos and New Orleans Saints, leading the latter to a win over the Indianapolis Colts at Super Bowl XLIV.

But before that, he was the OC for the Giants from 2000-02, helping them win the NFC in his first season before they fell in Super Bowl XLV to the Baltimore Ravens.

Sean Payton Predicts Natural Grass Will Become the NFL Standard

Payton, like most Americans, has kept close tabs on the 2026 World Cup, which has gripped the nation like few sporting events can.

FIFA has a mandatory grass-field policy for its World Cup games, which is why there is grass on turf fields like MetLife Stadium, Lumen Field in Seattle and even domes like AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles

But what Payton has noticed is how all host venues have been able support grass.

Most of those stadiums are supporting as many soccer games as they host NFL games, and between that and improved technology, Payton thinks natural grass is coming.

"Eventually I think you're going to see grass in more stadiums where it's possible," Payton told Sports Boom. "I think that, man, it was super impressive there. Seattle, the host city for [the US-Belgium World Cup] game, did a terrific job."

The NFLPA has continued its pursuit of a grass standard leaguewide as a reaction to the World Cup, which has further heated up this debate.

"Our game is a little different," Payton said. "When you're playing in the trenches on that surface, you know the type of football shoes we wear are different."

Grass Would Bring Relief to Players at MetLife Stadium

It's been nice to watch a sporting event at MetLife Stadium and not hear complaints about injuries and the playing surface.

It's no secret the turf at MetLife Stadium is among the league's worst, though Payton would surely remember the challenges associated with the infamous trays of natural grass at the old Giants Stadium.

Still, after watching Malik Nabers become the latest to fall victim to the turf in East Rutherford -- not to mention the array of players around the league that are injured on noncontact turf injuries -- it's hard not to root for grass to become the standard at all 32 stadiums.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 7:25 AM.