Before the 2024 NFL season kicks off, players are spoiled for choice. Twelve new helmet models will be offered to the players – five of which performed particularly well in laboratory tests

During the current NFL offseason, there are still some decisions to be made, and not just in terms of personnel.

For example, players will have a large number of new helmets to choose from for the 2024 season. Twelve new models have been approved for the new NFL season, eight of which are specially designed for linemen and quarterbacks.

These newly available helmets have been extensively tested in laboratory tests and, according to the league and the NFLPA players’ association, five models in particular performed extremely well – so well that they are said to be better than any helmet previously used in the NFL.

Two new models from “Vicis” and “Riddell” are available for quarterbacks.

Designed specifically for players at this position, these are intended to reduce the impact of hits when players are tackled hard to the ground and hit their heads on the turf. In the past, many of these hits have led to concussions in quarterbacks.

“Having more options in different styles, both from the outside and inside of the helmet, will be a big deal for players who choose these helmets,” said Dr. Annie Bailey Good, who was the lead mechanical engineer at “Biocore” who conducted or oversaw the lab testing of the helmets.

Specific helmets will be available for other position groups in the near future. According to “NFL.com”, there is hope that it may be possible to design helmets for defensive backs and wide receivers as early as 2025. The prerequisite for this is sufficient information and experience to be able to offer an optimally adapted helmet for these position groups.

More and more position-specific helmets on offer

Position-specific helmets have been offered in the NFL since 2022, but the response from players has been very cautious in some cases, according to the report. The NFL stars had reacted rather cautiously due to the fit, feel and look of the position-specific helmets. When the first position-specific helmet for quarterbacks was introduced last season, for example, only nine stars wore them, some of whom were not even starters in their respective teams.

As far as player response is concerned, NFL officials hope that the increasing number of different models will lead to more players wearing position-specific helmets in the future. “There are now enough different models and manufacturers making these models that hopefully players will find one that they really like and that fits them well so they can wear it all season long. That’s going to be a big focus,” said Jeff Miller, executive vice president of communications for the NFL.

In order to accurately inform players about the new helmets, they will receive accurate information from the NFL as a result of the lab tests with recommendations on which models performed particularly well and, conversely, models that are not recommended by the league.

We’re raising the standard for helmet safety, introducing 5 new models that tested better than any helmet worn before.

As part of our annual helmet lab testing with the @NFL, 12 new helmet models will be available to players in 2024, including 8 new position-specific helmets. pic.twitter.com/MIMYc28yjM

– NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 9, 2024

NFL: Six helmet models banned in future

There are twelve newly approved helmets to choose from, but also six models that are now on the list of banned helmets.

Six models performed so well in the tests that players who use them are no longer required to wear guardian caps.

Five other models are now listed by the NFL in the “not recommended” category. All of these eleven models, which are now either banned or discouraged from use, were considered high performance helmets a few years ago, which serves as proof of how quickly technology is advancing in this area.