Aaron Rodgers is preparing to start his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, but adjusting to a new helmet has become an unexpected challenge. The veteran quarterback must now use a different helmet model due to updated <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL safety regulations that have rendered his previous helmet obsolete, making his transition more complicated than anticipated.
Helmet Ban Forces Rodgers to Adapt During Training Camp
Rodgers wore the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD during the 2024 season, a model that has since been banned for failing to meet the NFL’s new safety standards. In response, Rodgers has been using the Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II helmet throughout training camp, although he expressed clear dissatisfaction with the change. Speaking with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Rodgers remarked,
“It looks like a damn spaceship out there.”
He added,
“We got to change it. The face mask doesn’t fit the helmet because that’s an old face mask, obviously just like I’m old, but we’re trying to find the right helmet right now.”
Veteran’s Long History with Schutt Helmets Highlights Frustration
Rodgers, who has worn Schutt helmets for two decades, revealed during Pittsburgh’s minicamp that he finds the NFL’s ban on his longtime helmet model difficult to accept. “I can’t stand the helmet,” Rodgers stated candidly. He noted,
“I’ve worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn’t pass the safety standard,”
reflecting his displeasure with the mandatory switch.
Rodgers Joins Steelers Amid Quarterback Uncertainty
Earlier in the offseason, Rodgers agreed to a one-year, $13.6 million contract with the Steelers, marking a new chapter after spending the previous two seasons with the New York Jets and an 18-year stint with the Green Bay Packers. Last season, the 41-year-old completed 63.0% of his passes for 3,897 yards, throwing 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 17 games.
The Steelers have struggled to find a reliable starting quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement following the 2021 season. After Kenny Pickett’s brief two-season tenure, the team relied on Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in 2024, both of whom left in free agency this offseason, leaving Rodgers to fill the void.
Helmet Change Reflects Wider Impact of NFL Safety Regulations
The controversy surrounding Rodgers’ helmet underscores the challenge players face adapting to evolving safety standards designed to protect their health. The struggle highlights how equipment changes can affect even experienced athletes and how teams must navigate these adjustments amid on-field expectations. For Rodgers and the Steelers, resolving the helmet issue will be crucial before the regular season begins, as the team looks to stabilize their quarterback situation and improve their performance.