In the 2024 National Football League (NFL) offseason, the NFL and National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) created a series of rule changes and safety measures to protect players from concussions.
These new regulations aim to reduce the severity of concussions and promote player health and safety. Examples include improved helmet technology, such as the use of Guardian Caps during NFL games.
In the 2024 NFL preseason, concussion rates reached a record low.
“Concussions continue to decrease in the preseason as a result of changes to practices, technique, rules and substantial investments in research that have led to the best performing helmets we have ever seen,” states Jeff Miller, the NFL Executive Vice President overseeing Player Health and Safety. “There is more work to do, but player safety is advancing, and we hope to see this trend continue this season.”
Additionally, twelve new helmet models were introduced to NFL players for the 2024 season. Quarterbacks, in particular, have a choice between two new helmets. The option of various helmets significantly lessens the impact of the blows to the head. This is the main cause of quarterback concussions.
Dr. Annie Bailey Good, the senior mechanical engineer for Biocore, which conducts the laboratory tests of the helmets, said, “Having more options in different styles, even from the outside and the inside of the helmet, that’s going to be a big thing for players deciding to adopt these helmets.”
Similarly, the adoption of Guardian Caps during NFL games decreases concussion rates and severity. According to NFL research, the cap can absorb at least 10% of the force of a hit. In week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, New England Patriots safety, Jabrill Peppers, wore a Guardian Cap.
“It’s really for those plays where you might not see a guy coming from the side and get incidental contact on your head,” Peppers said. “But I don’t really feel anything with it, so I like that a lot.”
Peppers also stated that the Guardian Cap did not hinder his ability to perform on the field.
“I’m a hitter, so the more protection I can get, why not? As long as it’s not impeding me or slowing me down, I don’t see why not,” he added.
Jabrill Peppers is not the only player to wear one thus far. Multiple players have opted to use a Guardian Cap. According to the NFL, five to 10 players per week have opted to wear the Guardian Caps in live games.