Aaron Rodgers’ comeback faces another hurdle as NFL bans his longtime favorite

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 15, 2025, 01:57 IST

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Aaron Rodgers faces a new hurdle. The NFL banned his preferred helmet due to safety concerns. This is not the first time for Rodgers. He had to change helmets before. Other veterans also used the banned helmet. The NFL prioritizes safety over player preference. If Rodgers returns to the Jets, he will need new headgear. His comeback remains uncertain.

Aaron Rodgers’ comeback faces another hurdle as NFL bans his longtime favorite

USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers might be mulling over a 2025 comeback but his helmet has already been ruled out. That’s right, the four-time MVP’s longtime go-to, the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD, has officially been banned by the NFL. So, if Rodgers is planning to suit up for the Jets again, he’ll need a new helmet before he even touches the field. While this might seem minor, it’s another odd wrinkle in the never-ending Rodgers saga that somehow always keeps fans guessing.

Aaron Rodgers’ helmet just made the NFL’s banned list and it’s not his first time dealing with this

Aaron Rodgers has been using the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD for years, but the league’s updated safety regulations just flagged it as outdated and unsafe. Along with six other models, the helmet has been removed from the NFL’s approved list.

Funny enough, Rodgers dealt with the same situation back in 2019 when he had to let go of his old-school Brett Favre-style helmet. At the time, he took it in stride, saying the league had “better regulations now” and that changing helmets wasn’t “difficult at all.”

So while this latest ban probably won’t impact whether Rodgers returns, it is a sign of how much the game keeps evolving even for its biggest names.

The NFL wants better safety but for some players old gear is about comfort and confidence

Rodgers isn’t alone. Joe Flacco, Thomas Morstead, and Nick Folk also wore the now-banned helmet in 2024. These veterans often stick to older gear that fits just right, even if it means sacrificing cutting-edge safety ratings. But the NFL isn’t budging on this new tech, better safety scores, and long-term health outweigh personal preference.

For Rodgers, it’s just one more thing to deal with if he decides to make a full return after tearing his Achilles in Week 1 last year. He’s already rehabbing, staying out of the Jets’ drama, and dropping cryptic comments on his timeline now he gets to the helmet shop, too. So… will a banned helmet keep Rodgers off the field? Definitely not. But it’s symbolic
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Aaron Rodgers’ old helmet may be out of the game, but he’s not at least, not yet. If he suits up for the Jets again, it’ll be with new gear, a cleaner bill of safety, and the same unpredictable flair that’s defined his career. The only real question left? Will this new helmet be ready for Broadway or just another piece of the puzzle in the Rodgers Retirement Mystery Tour?

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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