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.