ENGLEWOOD — The decision to wear a Guardian Cap weighs aesthetics versus extra protection.

Let Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper explain.

“It goes back to the whole (saying): Look good, feel good, play good,” Cooper said. “You don’t really look the best … like an alien, with a two-times head out there, and running around with shoulder pads.”

The NFL is giving players the option for Guardian Caps — a padded, soft-shell layer outside the helmet designed for impact reduction — to be worn in games after being mandated for training camp. Coach Sean Payton said “I don’t know” when asked ahead of the preseason opener if any Broncos will take the option. But he confirmed Guardian Caps with Broncos helmet logos are available to players for games.

“I’ll be interested to see when the season’s over with how many guys chose that,” Payton said. “Because it would make sense if someone did. And yet, if someone didn’t, I get it.”

The NFL announced its new Guardian Cap policy in April for games “in an effort to increase player health and safety and prevent head injuries,” per a news release. The league reported “significant concussion reductions” for players wearing Guardian Caps in training camps compared to prior data with just helmets.

On Friday, Steelers offensive guard James Daniels became the first NFL player to wear a Guardian Cap in the preseason.

“I think they help,” Daniels told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “The NFLPA is doing a lot — just how training camp is set up, all the new rules, lowering the head, all that stuff with the new kickoff. I feel like they’re trying to make the game safer, so if they’re giving us an opportunity to make the game safer, I feel like it’d be kind of like spitting in their face not to use it.”

The NFL, by comparison, is late adopting Guardian Caps.

Their technology has been in use since 2013 at Columbine High School. Andy Lowry, head coach of the reigning Class 5A state champions, discussed his reasoning in a video testimonial for Guardian Caps.

“We were having several (concussions) every year. We want to help protect kids,” Lowry said. “The Guardian Cap reduces the force of the impact that the brain is absorbing.”

The Guardian Cap is one small piece of the NFL’s mission to reduce head injuries.

The league introduced a targeting penalty that evolved to protect “players in a defenseless posture.” They changed the traditional kickoff model to reduce high-speed collisions. There are also 12 different helmets available for players to wear in the 2024 NFL season — with eight models specialized for quarterbacks and linemen.

“If you saw Randy Gradishar’s helmet compared to Alex Singleton’s helmet, the technology is so different,” Payton said. “How we have taught trying to remove the head from the game, and then the guardian caps. Each year we get a spreadsheet that tells us, ‘Here are the top four helmets.’ … As time has moved on, these guys are all in these premier helmets, and I think there’s been a lot of progress.”

Ryan Harris played five Broncos seasons, over three different stints, and started every game at offensive tackle during the 2015 Super Bowl championship season. He did not have access to Guardian Caps over his 10-year NFL playing career (2007-16). But Harris can see value for wearing them, situationally, in today’s game.

“As a former player, I would have put one on for field goal. As lineman, you’re literally dropping your head and getting knees to head, left and right,” Harris said. “The first one is going to get the most attention. But I think eventually you’ll see more players using it. Perhaps near the playoffs.”

Multiple players who spoke with The Denver Gazette said they will not be in game day Guardian Caps.

Outside linebacker Baron Browning: “I don’t think about it in practice. But I’m not wearing it in the game.”

Inside linebacker Cody Barton: “I don’t think people are going to wear them. We’ll see.”

Cooper, entering a contract season in Denver, also doesn’t plan on wearing a Guardian Cap this season. He can still appreciate the NFL’s effort to act on ensuring the long-term health of its players.

“Any way that we can help protect players and make sure their safety is good for the longevity of their careers. Especially with something as important as the head and brain. Everybody in the long run would choose their health,” Cooper said. “I think it’s going to get to a point where it’s all going to work together; where it looks cool, and it feels cool. The game is getting a lot safer.”