NFL’s Helmet Purge: 7 Models Axed, Concussion Crackdown Intensifies for 2025

Banned Gear and Heightened Risks

The NFL has sidelined seven helmet models for 2025 after joint safety testing with the players’ union, marking its toughest stance yet on substandard gear. Three models now labeled “not recommended” were linked to a 35% spike in concussions among the 2% of players using them since 2021.

Guardian Caps: Fewer Rules, Better Tech

Ten top-tier helmets earned exemptions from guardian caps—a milestone Jeff Miller, the NFL’s safety chief, hailed as a “huge leap” in design innovation. While most players still wear the padded caps in practice, the shift rewards helmets that outperformed safety benchmarks.

Race to Upgrade 27% of Players

Nearly a third of the league remains in helmets deemed neither banned nor recommended. The NFL pushes to transition these players to safer options by 2025, though union resistance to mandates complicates efforts. Miller admits the league favors stricter rules but balances collaboration: “We lean toward mandates, but partnership matters.”

Kickoff Rule Scores Concussion Drop

A 17% decline in concussions (2023–2024) coincided with the NFL’s kickoff revamp, which boosted returns without increasing injuries on the play. The data highlights how rule tweaks and gear upgrades jointly fuel the league’s safety playbook—a critical drive as physical stakes rise.