Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — When Jabrill Peppers takes the field on Sunday, the newly arrived Pittsburgh Steelers safety will become the team’s second player to don a Guardian Cap in game action.
Peppers was one of the first NFL players to embrace the extra helmet padding while with the New England Patriots last season. Now-former Steelers guard James Daniels was another.
“I started wearing it, I think, the year they allowed us to wear it in the games,” Peppers said after Steelers practice on Friday. “It didn’t hinder me. I didn’t even notice that it was on my head when I’m running around. And, when I’m hitting, I rarely feel anything. Like, after some games, when you’re banging a lot, you get a little bit of some headaches at the end of the game.
“Ever since I started wearing that, it’s been none of that. So, for me, it’s a no-brainer.”
The cushion comes in handy when a player’s head bounces off the ground. It shields from friendly fire while other teammates join in on a tackle. However, the protective helmet accessories are bulky, which gives way to a bobblehead-like appearance.
Jabrill Peppers will become the second #Steelers player to don a Guardian Cap in game action tomorrow. Here the newly arrived safety is on why he wears one: pic.twitter.com/sFym9ewRNo
— Brendan Howe (@bybrendanhowe) September 13, 2025
Peppers isn’t too concerned about that.
“I don’t really care, I’m here to play football,” Peppers said.
Peppers added that he advocates for the gear with teammates.
“I always tell people to put that Guardian Cap on, but, at the end of the day, whatever you need to wear to feel your best and play your best, by all means, you do it,” Peppers said. “I don’t really see a negative to wearing it. It does get a little hot in there sometimes because it covers the holes on the helmet, but other than that, I don’t really feel anything.”
Soon, others might not have a choice, Peppers believes wearing Guardian Caps will be required at some point.
“Probably. I think the league may mandate it maybe four or five years down the line,” Peppers said. “I think it’ll just negate a lot of things or help negate a lot of things. It’s a violent sport. We all know the risks we take when we play this game. … I think it’ll be mandated for sure.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Why is New Steelers DB Jabrill Peppers Wearing a Guardian Cap?
