Aaron Rodgers made not only a team change this offseason but also switched up his helmet. Having used the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 Ltd for the first 20 years of his NFL career, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback transitioned to the Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II because his old helmet no longer met the updated safety requirements. Think of it as Rodgers being unfaithful to his familiar gear.
Speaking to ESPN, Rodgers remarked, “I’m about to change. We’re still working on it. It looks like a spaceship out there. We might change it. The face mask doesn’t fit the helmet. Obviously, I’m getting older, so I’m trying to find the right helmet right now.” He had previously expressed his dislike for the new helmet, saying he “can’t stand the helmet.”
At 41 years old, Rodgers signed with the Steelers in June after his release from the New York Jets. This came after spending two years with the Jets (2023-24) and an 18-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers (15 of those as a starter with no injuries). Last season, Rodgers, one of four NFL MVP quarterbacks, completed 63% of his passes, totaling 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a passer rating of 90.5.
In other Steelers news, sixth-round draft pick Will Howard is expected to miss the entire preseason due to a finger injury. Defensive tackle and four-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward expressed his desire to sit out games until he is fully ready, stating on Monday his intent to “be precious” with his playing time. Additionally, the Steelers recently resolved a contract issue with superstar linebacker TJ Watt, giving him a record-breaking three-year, $123 million deal, averaging $41 million per year.
Pittsburgh started their preseason by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars and will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night. Rodgers has yet to play in any preseason games, and his availability for the upcoming match remains uncertain.
Fan Take: For NFL enthusiasts, Rodgers’ helmet change symbolizes how safety standards are evolving in the league, influencing even veteran players to adapt. This shift, alongside his move to the Steelers, could mark a new chapter for one of football’s greats and impact how experience and safety balance in the sport going forward.
