Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Rips His New Helmet Style, 'It Looks Like a Damn Spaceship'

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he is still "in the process" of settling on a new helmet after his previous model was banned under NFL safety rules.

After the NFL banned the quarterback's former go-to helmet, the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD, Rodgers has been practicing in the Schutt Air XP Po VTD II.

"Yeah, I still don't like it. No, I don't like it. I'm trying to change. We're in the process, still," Rodgers told reporters Tuesday about the new helmet (h/t Steelers Now's Brendan Howe and Alan Saunders).

Rodgers continued, "Looks like a damn spaceship out there. We've got to change it. The facemask doesn't fit the helmet, because it's an old facemask, obviously, because I'm old. But we're trying to find the right helmet right now."

Rodgers has also tried out Schutt’s F7 Pro helmet this offseason, but said after June minicamp that he "can't stand" the model.

The Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD was one of eight models newly banned by the NFL in April following testing "intended to represent potentially concussive head impacts in the NFL," according to the league.

The NFL simultaneously announced the introduction of five new helmets to the "approved" list, including the Schutt F7 Pro.

The Schutt model that Rodgers has been wearing during training camp was already at risk of being eventually banned by the NFL. The league listed the Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II as allowed but "not recommended" for the 2025 season.

NBC Sports' Mike Florio previously noted that the Air XP Pro VTD II is "one of the few remaining helmets with a smooth, flat shell." Rodgers was wearing the model with a custom F7 facemask, per Helmet Stalker on X.

Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Schutt's parent company Certor Sports, told Andrew Vasquez of Steelers Wire in April that he empathized with players' struggles to adapt to the new safety standards.

“I feel for players like Aaron Rodgers. He’s worn that same helmet model basically his entire career. As he said, he’s never been hurt in it. I’m sure it feels like an old friend when he puts it on his head,” Erspamer told Vasquez. “I completely understand, from a player’s perspective, that potentially causing frustration.

"I also understand the desire of the NFL — and for us, as helmet manufacturers — trying to develop new technology. Technology is evolving probably quicker than most people think. And the ability to protect athletes better comes along with that.”

The Steelers will hope to find a helmet and facemask combination Rodgers is happy with before kicking off the 2025 season against the New York Jets on Sept. 7.