Each year, NFL players choose from better-performing, safer helmets as the league continues to drive innovation in helmet safety.
The 2024 season's lineup of helmets includes the five safest helmets ever tested, a record 12 new models, and eight new position-specific helmets designed to provide players with the best protection for their position – evidence of the rapid rate of helmet innovation made possible by the league's investments and collaboration with manufacturers, medical and engineering experts and club staff.
Ahead of the season, players work closely with their club equipment managers to determine the helmet that offers the best fit, protection and comfort. Players are choosing the top-performing models that can help keep them in the game: this year, nearly 98% of players are wearing top-performing helmets.
Six helmet models are available to players this season that provide as much – and in some cases more – protection than a helmet paired with a Guardian Cap. More than 240 players have selected these helmets, and nearly 200 players are wearing position-specific helmets designed to mitigate the impacts most frequently experienced at that position. These adoption numbers reflect a high rate of players opting to move into new helmets, relative to past seasons.
All helmet models available in the NFL are subject to rigorous laboratory testing, validated against on-field performance, by biomechanical experts jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA. The results of the laboratory tests are displayed on a poster that is shared with NFL players, as well as club medical, training, coaching and equipment staffs. This year, the NFL and NFLPA added three position-specific posters that reflect helmet performance in testing specific to quarterbacks, offensive linemen, and defensive linemen.
The NFL will continue providing data and collaborating with the NFLPA, club staff, medical experts, engineers and manufacturers to continue driving the development of better-performing helmets and better protection for players.
