NFL Guardian Caps, explained: Why players might sport enhanced safety helmets during 2024 season

Nick Brinkerhoff

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NFL Guardian Caps, explained: Why players might sport enhanced safety helmets during 2024 season image

The NFL has tipped its cap to the Guardian Caps.

While not aesthetically pleasing, the league has determined that the reward is worth the potential hit on fashion runways. Fans and teams across the league have grown accustomed to the look during the offseason, but the safety enhancement ends when the games really matter.

Thanks to the growing safety-first movement on the gridiron, some players could opt to don the look from the dog days of summer all the way until the confetti falls at the Super Bowl.

Here's what you need to know about the NFL's new stance on Guardian Caps, including whether they really work, if they'll be mandatory, and how much it will cost to get your hands on one.

MORE: What are Guardian Caps?

NFL Guardian Caps, explained

Guardian Caps have experienced a meteoric rise over the past few years. They were initially approved for use in August 2020, when the Jacksonville Jaguars became the first team to wear them.

Despite six more teams opting to jump on board prior to the 2021 season, it wasn't until the 2022 offseason that the NFL mandated the protective headwear. While the look was jarring at first, results began to speak for themselves. 

The decrease in head injuries and impact from hits ultimately helped the NFL arrive at the decision to allow players the ability to wear the caps during games. 

“So we have expanded the (practice) mandate to all players with still the option for quarterbacks, kickers, and punters," Dawn Aponte, the NFL's chief administrator of football operations said, during a safety webinar. "But then also there is the option for a player to wear it in the game if he so chooses.”

Aponte added that players have been receptive to the change while also noting that they were used during regular and postseason practices last season.

It represents a major change in the NFL's thinking after chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ProFootballTalk in August 2023 that, “A player would be prohibited from wearing a Guardian Cap during a game."

MORE: Guardian Caps leave some NFL players and coaches with concerns: 'You feel like a bobblehead'

Do Guardian Caps actually work?

According to the NFL, Guardian Caps are doing what they're designed to do.

The caps have reduced concussions to positions that are required to wear them by over 50 percent during the preseason, NFL executive VP Jeff Miller told NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" in August.

Because of their soft shell, the presence of the cap reduces the impact by around 20 percent if both players are wearing it. If only one player has the protective gear on, the impact is still lessened by 10 percent.

Thanks to the improvement in design, it seems that the previously controversial Guardian Caps are here to stay.

Are Guardian Caps mandatory for NFL players?

The freedom to choose still mostly exists in this instance. While the players are required to wear the Guardian Caps in practices through the second preseason game, they have never been an option during game action.

This new guidance from the NFL notably does not require players to wear the caps during games, but it gives them the option if they want to. It remains to be seen how many players will take the league up on the offer, but it is reminiscent of MLB's attempt to protect pitchers on the mound during baseball games. 

Despite the ability for pitchers to wear the protective hats, only San Diego Padres' reliever Alex Torres opted for the new look. The enlarged hat never truly caught on and eventually faded away over time.

In theory, the NFL's stance puts the power in the player's hands while shielding the league from more controversy. If players suffer concussions during the games because they aren't wearing the caps, it would be easy for the league to say that it wasn't due to a prohibitive rule.

How much do Guardian Caps cost?

The NFL uses what is known as the NXT model of Guardian Caps. It comes in nine different colors and retails at $125. Fans or athletes hoping to purchase this particular model will have a difficult time, however. 

According to the company, the NXT model is only for NFL athletes and college linemen. The only way to purchase it is through a representative.

While the NFL model isn't available in the mainstream yet, Guardian does make caps for football, hockey, and lacrosse.

Teams might just have to hope that there isn't much truth to the "look good, play good" mentality.

Nick Brinkerhoff

Nick Brinkerhoff Photo

Nick Brinkerhoff is a content producer at The Sporting News covering the NFL, NBA and other sports. A proud New Jerseyan, Nick is also a graduate of Rutgers University. He is always in the mood for a good joke, the day’s best bets, or a debate about the mediocrity of the New York sports scene.