NFL’s bubblewrap-looking guardian caps are coming to games in 2024, insider claims
Guardian Caps have been joked about by fans as the first step toward wrapping players entirely in bubble wrap to protect them in the NFL. While the caps have been limited to practice in the past, it appears they will be used in games in 2024. At least, that is what NFL insider Mike Florio claimed on Thursday's edition of "Pro Football Talk." Here's how he put it:
Mike Florio: "[00:00:25] So the next obvious question is if they're so effective, why aren't they worn during games? And as of last year, the league's position was if a player wanted to wear one during the game. He'd be told, you can't do it," he said.
"Well, quietly in the offseason, it was in a video presentation the NFL was doing. Doctor Alan Sills just kind of talked about it as if it was a given, as if everybody knew. The players can now wear the Guardian caps during the games if they want to. That is a huge shift," he declared. [00:00:55][29.9] PFT
It is a huge shift, indeed. Safety has always been touted as a core tenet of the NFL's business model. However, not much has changed from a visual standpoint using the eye test. Penalties are enforced differently now, but a still-frame image of the game has looked quite similar to one from a decade ago.
Of course, adding the guardian caps as a potential option doesn't mean the NFL is mandating them. Meaning, some players might elect to use them over others for one reason or another. Thus, it is likely to appear in spots across a 53-man roster instead of on the head of every player.
This, of course, appears to be the first step toward normalizing them for fans. Some fans have commented that the helmets looked goofy when used in practice. However, with the caps heading to the game, fans won't be able to avoid seeing them.
Then, in 2025 and beyond, the stage is set up for the accessories to be phased in. Eventually, it appears that hypothetically it could become commonplace to see everyone from Patrick Mahomes to Sam LaPorta using one.
Exploring NFL’s massively different product in 2024
Ten years ago, as the league watched Russell Wilson's rise become the talk of the town, fans wondered how different the game could look in the future. Today, fans have a much different game to watch.
Of course, Russell Wilson is older, Tom Brady is no longer playing, but the game itself has massively changed. Kickers kick from farther away on extra points, quarterbacks can't be hit nearly as hard or as often, the kickoff will look massively different as well.
The touchback now hands every offense from Josh Allen's Bills to Brock Purdy's 49ers 5 extra yards when catching a kickoff. The length of the season is also different. The NFL used to have 16-game seasons. Now, every season is 17 games with talk of a potential 18th game on the way.
Now, guardian caps are set to make their in-season debut. Put simply, the game has objectively seen a complete shift since Peyton Manning's era with the Denver Broncos. This leaves the question of how different the game could look in another 10 years.
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.