About more than a week after the use of Guardian Caps was officially announced in the college football league, USC’s use of the protective gear has drawn attention amid a wider debate.
While there have been discussions about whether the padded helmet covers meaningfully reduce concussion risk, Pablo Torre’s latest discussion with CTE expert Chris Nowinski turns out to call it a total “scam.”
Recently, Rams beat writer for LA Daily News, Adam Grosbard, shared a revealing example from the Trojans’ practices.
“When USC started wearing guardian caps at practice, I asked someone if they were for concussion safety. Instead, I was told it was so the quarterback didn't slam his hand down on a helmet and break a finger. Sure enough, the QB and outside WRs and CBs were only ones without them,” he tweeted, quoting Torre’s conversation with Nowinski.
The observation comes as Nowinski has questioned the NFL’s messaging surrounding Guardian Caps. Appearing on Pablo Torre Finds Out, Nowinski described the story around the equipment as “a bit of a scam” and argued that more padding does not automatically mean better protection against the forces that can affect the brain.
“Much of this Guardian helmet story appears to be a bit of a scam,” Nowinski said on the show. “More padding is not the answer. We already know, your brain is jello floating in fluid. Putting more padding out will help in some situations but it's going to hurt in other situations, especially rotation. Bigger, heavier helmet, bigger radius, more rotation.”
Debate continues to grow around Guardian Caps
Nowinski has also challenged how the NFL has presented research involving the caps. A 2025 study found that the NFL’s 2022 practice requirement was associated with a significant decline in preseason concussions at affected positions.
However, researchers said the reduction could not be attributed solely to the padding for helmet-shell impacts.
Virginia Tech testing in 2024 found that the NFL’s NXT model reduced rotational and linear acceleration more than the lighter version used by youth and high school players.
Guardian Sports maintains that its products reduce impact but does not claim they eliminate concussion risk.
NFL executive Jeff Miller has also described the Guardian Cap as a transitional piece of equipment as helmet technology continues to improve.
“So I have to attribute at least some of the concussion reduction to the Guardian Cap,” Miller said.
That leaves the broader question unresolved. Guardian Caps are increasingly visible across football, but the evidence surrounding exactly how much protection they provide remains contested.