Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers signaled his frustration at the NFL for banning his old helmet model when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.
Rodgers is miffed with having to find a new helmet after wearing his Schutt Air XP Q11 helmet for his entire career after it failed to pass NFL safety regulations.
In 2024, the model Rodgers wore was not recommended to players, but Rodgers wore it anyway. This season, the NFL outright banned the model.
“I can’t stand the [new] helmet,” Rodgers said. “I’ve worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn’t pass the safety standards.”
Now, Schutt’s F7 is the model approved by the NFL. Rodgers tried it out during mandatory minicamp, but he did not seem to like it.
Speaking to Andrew Vazquez of Steelers Wire, Certor Sports CEO Jeremy Erspamer, the company behind the Schutt F7 model, responded to Rodgers’ frustration around the new helmet and the banning of his old model.
“I feel for players like Aaron Rodgers,” Erspamer said. “He’s worn that same helmet model basically his entire career. As he said, he’s never been hurt in it. I’m sure it feels like an old friend when he puts it on his head. I completely understand, from a player’s perspective, that potentially causing frustration. I also understand the desire of the NFL — and for us, as helmet manufacturers — trying to develop new technology. Technology is evolving probably quicker than most people think. And the ability to protect athletes better comes along with that.”
As for Rodgers’ fit with the Steelers, he seems to be enjoying that and cited head coach Mike Tomlin as a critical reason he wanted to play for the Steelers.
“I think there were conversations with other organizations for sure, but again, the rapport that fell in between me and Mike made it to where, as I was going through my personal stuff, there wasn’t any other option for me. It was here, or not play,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers had 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024. He went just 5-12 in his starts with the Jets, and even after they acquired Davante Adams, they went just 3-8. It was a tough season for Rodgers, who also had multiple leg injuries.