GREEN BAY – Lambeau Field's playing surface will be replaced during the upcoming offseason, but the Packers aren't making any noticeable changes.

The final product will be in essence the same type of field the Packers have played on for the past decade.

The synthetic fibers that stitch together Lambeau's natural grass surface are showing wear and tear from their age. With the replacement necessary, the Packers will use it as an opportunity to make improvements to the root zone, irrigation and heating systems underneath the surface. The rubber apron that surrounds the field will be replaced as well.

"This field has served us very well and it's simply time to replace it with a new version of the same field," said Allen Johnson, Packers fields manager. "We're also looking forward to making some updates to systems that help us maintain the field, which will allow us to have an even better playing surface for the team."

The project will start in mid-February and take until early August, precluding any events taking place at Lambeau Field during the upcoming offseason.

New sod, with an accompanying grow-in period, will be installed in the spring, and the stitching of the synthetic fibers will take place in July. The new field is expected to be ready for the annual Family Night practice during training camp.