NFL, NFLPA approve new helmets for quarterbacks in latest step to combat concussions

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A new helmet specifically designed to help protect quarterbacks has been approved by the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

The NFLPA said the push to develop the Vicis Zero2 Matrix quarterback helmet was based on the fact that "half of all QB concussions occur when their helmets hit the ground."

Although the helmet is expected to be available by next season, signal-callers will have the option of using the same headgear they used in 2022.

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General view of the Kansas City Chiefs helmet prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Tests showed that the new Vicis Zero2 Matrix helmet "performed 7% better than the most popular helmet worn by quarterbacks last season," according to a memo sent to team executives on Thursday.

NFL data noted that almost half of the quarterback concussions were a result of helmet-to-ground impacts, including the one suffered by Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa last season.

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"We've now analyzed with our engineers and with the Players Association more than a 1,000 concussions on field, we have a pretty good database of how these injuries occur," NFL executive Jeff Miller told the Associated Press about the helmet-to-ground impacts. 

"This helmet performs better in laboratory testing than any helmets we have ever seen for those sorts of impacts."

Jason Neubauer, an executive for Vicis, said the company began designing its Zero2 Matrix QB