[Tim Graham] – ‘Somebody fell asleep’: What went wrong with the grass at the Bills’ new stadium

After just two preseason games, the Buffalo Bills tore out the grass field they had installed in October 2025. The field went unused for 10 months, but its roots didn’t take hold. Large chunks of sod were repeatedly gouged out by the players in exhibition games against the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as two open practices showcasing the new $2.2 billion stadium.

After the preseason opener, one Bills player told The Athletic, “The field is ass right now.” President of business operations Pete Guelli said the field was performing to expectations. This week, however, the team tore out all the grass and started over.

The Bills’ home opener against the Detroit Lions on “Thursday Night Football” is two weeks away — the first of three straight Highmark Stadium games in 18 days.

While resodding an entire NFL field is relatively common, experts find the circumstances surrounding Buffalo’s sudden tear-out disconcerting.

“I saw their press release and heard some of their rationale, and they probably ought to start their stories ‘Once upon a time,’” said an award-winning sports agronomist who has helped install dozens of NFL and college football fields over the decades. He requested anonymity to protect professional relationships.

“That’s the worst sod I’ve seen in the NFL in my career. I can’t even imagine how that could have happened.”