What happened: San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle requested the league retain the temporary natural field installed at the venue for the soccer tournament. New York Jets running back Breece Hall amplified the message with a public endorsement.

Why it matters: The East Rutherford location has faced sustained criticism regarding its artificial turf and its perceived impact on injuries. The successful FIFA pitch implementation has renewed broader advocacy for natural surfaces across the sport.

What to watch: The league has not formally addressed the requests to maintain the temporary playing surface.