NFL Bans 7 Helmet Models, Makes Others 'Guardian Cap Optional' After Rule Change

The NFL updated its rules regarding helmet safety standards for the upcoming 2025 season.

According to Matt Moret of The Athletic, the league banned seven different helmet models.

Ten other models were also deemed “Guardian Cap optional,” meaning that they perform well enough that the NFL won't require players with those helmets to wear a Guardian Cap during training camp or practices.

Players at every position outside of quarterbacks, kickers and punters were required to wear the caps during training camp heading into the 2024 season.

The NFL announced Friday that the number of concussions among players dropped by 17 percent from 2023 to 2024.

"It is another major step forward for player safety that the laboratory testing of the best helmets equated with lower injury rates on-field," NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said, per the announcement. "The top-ranked helmets are performing as predicted -- there is a significant decrease in concussion rates for the players wearing them. Our goal is to encourage all players to move into better-performing helmets for the 2025 season."

While players at multiple positions needed to wear Guardian Caps in practice last season, they now have the option to choose new helmet styles in order to forgo the same requirement in 2025.