The 2024 preseason marked the first time NFL players were given the option to wear protective caps over their helmets during live action.
The option remained in effect during the regular season, and some players continued to take advantage of the protective cap policy. At least one Steelers player was seen wearing the soft-shell cap during Pittsburgh's win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
A handful of other players around the league also opted for the preventative helmet.
The Guardian cap wasn’t available everywhere when JJ Watt was wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks every week. The pass rusher turned NFL television analyst shared his thoughts on whether the piece of protective gear would be part of his uniform if he was still playing.
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JJ Watt of the Arizona Cardinals during player introductions before the San Francisco 49ers game at Levis Stadium on January 8, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
While Watt admitted that each player has the right to make his own decisions when it comes to the Guardian cap, he said he would not wear it during games.
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“I mean, if you want to use it, feel free to use it,” Watt said. “I mean, if it makes you feel safer, of course.”
“Would I wear it? Personally, no. But everyone can choose what they want.”
Former NFL player JJ Watt before a game between the Tennessee Titans and the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
New England Patriots defensive back Jabrill Peppers was one of several players to don a Guardian Cap in Week 1. The former Michigan football standout said the protective headgear added a layer of safety.
“It's for those plays where you don't see a guy coming from the side and you get hit in the head accidentally,” Peppers said. “But I don't feel anything with it, so I like it a lot.”
Pepper also noted that the Guardian cap did not impede his ability to perform on the field.
“I'm a hitter, so the more protection I can get, why not? As long as it doesn't impede me or slow me down, I don't see why not,” he added.
Colts tight end Kylen Granson also opted to wear the cap during the Indianapolis game against the Houston Texans.
Bengals defensive tackle Jay Tufele tackles Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Aug. 22, 2024.
Granson rejected the idea that the appearance of the caps might have influenced his decision to layer the soft-shell helmet over his hard-shell helmet.
“There’s nothing cosmetic that can make up for what a traumatic brain injury can do to you,” Granson said via Instagram late last month. “And one of the most unknown things is that you don’t just have to worry about the big hits, but the culmination of a lot of little hits.”
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Guardian Caps were introduced with the goal of reducing the risk of head injuries when contact occurs between players on a given play. The caps are designed to be able to absorb approximately 10% of the force of a hit, according to research compiled by the NFL.
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