Manufacturer of helmets: Mahomes’ broken helmet in the playoff game “did its job”
Missouri’s Kansas City In their AFC wild-card game against Miami, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes broke his helmet. However, the helmet’s maker claims that it “did its job” by shielding the league MVP “during a head-to-head impact in unprecedented cold temperatures.”
The match The fourth-coldest Saturday night in NFL history occurred. At kickoff, the temperature was minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the game, gusts of wind exceeding 25 mph brought the wind chill closer to minus-30.
“Hard weather like that inevitably pushes even the best-performing products to their limits,” stated a statement released on Wednesday by Certor Sports, the company that manufactures Mahomes’ VICIS ZERO2 helmet.
In the second half of the Chiefs’ 26-7 victory, Mahomes was being tackled by Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott as he was scurrying toward the end zone. When their helmets collided, a fist-sized piece flew out of Mahomes’ helmet, just above the facemask covering his left eye, probably due to the intense cold that caused the outer shell to break easily.
Mahomes stated on Wednesday, “They’re testing it right now, but I’m adamant about getting the helmet after.” It’s cool and something I can hold onto for a very long time. It performed as promised. After that, I was all right.”
According to the company, the VICIS ZERO2 employs a proprietary multilayer technology that forms a “deformable outer shell” that is encircled by a stiffer inner shell. The design bears resemblance to car bumpers, which, despite their seemingly cheap plastic appearance, are actually made to disperse and absorb energy at the point of impact.
The NFL and NFLPA tested this season, and the ZERO2 line—which has models specifically for linemen and quarterbacks—held the top five spots. Additionally, independent evaluations conducted at Virginia Tech gave the helmets high marks.
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If the Minnesota Vikings didn’t have a backup plan in place in the event that Kirk Cousins leaves in free agency, they would be betraying themselves.
His return is something that both of them want. But if the Vikings don’t make any moves to free up cap space, the four-time Pro Bowler is also expected to command a high price.
Additionally, their current backup plan is far from ideal.
Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report wrote on January 18 that “the Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on Jaren Hall last season as a potential successor to Kirk Cousins, but that ship might have already sailed.” “Should Cousins exercise his free agency, they’ll need to upgrade.”
Fowler lists quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a possible “top scheme fit” for the Vikings.
In 2018, Mayfield, 28, was selected first overall. Leading his team against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, he has established a rhythm in Tampa.
He has a $4 million, one-year contract. However, there is a shared interest in extending.
On December 24, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, “Sources say there is mutual interest for Mayfield and the Bucs to run it back in 2024.” “Mayfield is expected to hit free agency, so there may be some issues to resolve given his renewed leverage.”
