This week, the Chicago Park District completely re-sodded Soldier Field at a cost of approximately $250,000. It was the second time in 11 weeks the field was re-sodded.

For another $700,000 to $1 million on top of the $500,000, it could have replaced the grass permanently with an infill surface. And then an expensive re-sodding never would be an issue again.

Both sides — the Chicago Bears and the park district — appear willing to consider change.

Story via ChicagoTribune, Image via DavidlLee

“”The Bears and the Park District should definitely sit down and explore the options in the offseason,” Soldier Field general manager Tim LeFevour said. “It would probably benefit all parties.”

There was talk of a possible change last offseason, and some key voices supported an infill surface then.

The problem with grass at Soldier Field is it doesn’t grow in this climate for more than half of the football season. And there is no way to regenerate grass that football games and Irish rockers damage.

The park district and the Bears have done as good a job as possible of keeping the playing field manageable. But there is only so much anyone can do. There still have been divots all over the field. Cleats often don’t grip right, and players end up sliding when they try to stop.

In a National Football League Players Association poll taken during the 2008 football season, 33 of 49 Bears said they considered the playing surface at Soldier Field to be fair or poor. It might not be quite as shoddy as its reputation, but without question it can be better.

One of the problems with the grass at Soldier Field is it doesn’t look the way many think an NFL field is supposed to look. It’s too brown, and you can see seams. So the perception is an issue as well as the reality.

The Tribune asked 36 Bears who have played a significant amount of snaps at Soldier Field how they felt about changing the playing surface.

Only 12 players said they would like to stay with grass. Of those 12, half were offensive linemen or defensive tackles.

Almost all of the players who depend on speed and quickness said they preferred a switch to an infill surface (including every wide receiver, defensive back and defensive end polled), though one who preferred grass said he thought the current turf at Soldier Field was part of the Bears’ home-field advantage.

“Don’t build a team for speed and then have us play in mud,” another player said.

Under coach Lovie Smith, the Bears think of themselves as a team that can beat opponents with speed. Infill surfaces are considered faster than grass — especially bad grass. So unless the Bears are going to change the makeup of their team, a new playing surface undoubtedly would be a hit with the coaching staff.”