Pittsburgh, PA – Aaron Rodgers, the veteran quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is currently facing an unusual challenge as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season. After switching teams this offseason, Rodgers is struggling to find a helmet that meets his personal comfort and safety standards.
Rodgers, a four-time MVP, has long favored his original helmet, the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD, which is no longer allowed under league safety rules. This has forced him into an unfamiliar Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II model during training camp at Saint Vincent College. However, he’s not a fan of the new headgear. “I don’t like it, no,” Rodgers admitted during a recent practice session.
While he hasn’t revealed the specific modifications he might be considering, Rodgers knows he needs to resolve these issues before the first regular-season game. “We got to change it,” he stressed, noting that the face mask doesn’t properly fit the new helmet. “That’s an old face mask, obviously just like I’m old, but we’re trying to find the right helmet right now.”
Despite these concerns, Rodgers remains focused on preparing for the season. The Steelers recently played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason matchup, where most starters sat out, and he will be facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week in joint practices. “Hopefully, [Buccaneers head coach] Todd [Bowles], he probably won’t show everything, but he’ll do some stuff to stress our protection and give us a chance to get some film to work on,” he commented about their upcoming practice.
As he enters what he believes may be his final NFL season, Rodgers stated, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it,” during an interview in June. With the New York Jets scheduled as their first opponent in Week 1 on September 7, he knows the clock is ticking on making a final decision about his helmet.
Fans and teammates alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to his new equipment as he embarks on Year 21 in the NFL.
