Patrick Mahomes' helmet investigation: Chiefs star's broken helmet launches NFL inquiry

Though several weeks have passed since the incident, one of the biggest storylines of the NFL playoffs this season involved the game's biggest star — one who will play in Sunday's Super Bowl.

In the the Kansas City Chiefs' Wild Card meeting with the Miami Dolphins, football fans anxiously held their breaths as quarterback Patrick Mahomes emerged from a collision gripping a cracked helmet. He experienced the helmet fracture during the third quarter of Kansas City's 26-7 victory over Miami following a helmet-to-helmet hit from Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott:

After the play, the former Texas Tech quarterback, who was not hurt on the play, received a substitute helmet. He told reporters after the game that he encountered difficulty in getting it to fit properly due to the frigid weather conditions: The temperature at kickoff was listed negative-4 degrees Fahrenheit. (Indeed, many speculated the extreme cold may caused the helmet to crack).

"We have to talk about where we store the backup because it was frozen, so when I tried to put it on, I couldn't get it on," Mahomes said. "It didn't look great. We were able to adjust it on the sideline, get it kind of warmed up a bit and get rolling from there."

Regardless, the incident sparked alarm and prompted an NFL investigation into the cause. Here's what you need to know about the investigation into Mahomes' broken helmet.

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What happened to Patrick Mahomes' helmet vs. Dolphins?

Mahomes' helmet fractured following a helmet-to-helmet hit from Elliott in the third quarter of the NFL playoff game. The extreme cold was considered a contributing factor, but no definitive cause was found. Though the helmet broke, Mahomes was unharmed. The incident did, however, raise concerns about player safety in cold weather and sparked ongoing discussions about improving helmet performance.

Patrick Mahomes helmet investigation, explained

After Mahomes' helmet cracked against the Dolphins, the NFL launched an investigation into examining the helmet in collaboration with the manufacturer, VICIS, to determine what might have caused the break, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith. VICIS produced helmets that ranked No. 1 in NFL and NFLPA testing from 2017-19, per an Associated Press report.

Said NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller spoke of the situation:

“Obviously the conditions were extreme and may have contributed to the potential failure in that case. We want to know how the helmets perform not just in optimal situations but in extreme situations," Miller said. "It happens so seldom, and we’re grateful for that. The work the manufacturers have done to create better and better helmets with each succeeding helmet is impressive.”

Continuing its efforts, the league will analyze both helmet testing protocols and helmet performance in the most extreme weather conditions.

What kind of helmet does Patrick Mahomes wear?

Mahomes wears a helmet created by VICIS, a company that burst onto the scene producing helmets that have a softer outer layer, enabling the helmet to absorb more contact. All 32 NFL teams have ordered VICIS helmets ahead of the 2023 season.

In 2023, the NFL's testing lab rated the customized 3D-printed padding of the Zero2-R Matrix ID Trench helmet from VICISas the superior head protection for players, replacing traditional foam padding.

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VICIS comment on Patrick Mahomes' cracked helmet

After the helmet breakage, VICIScommented on the situation with a statement on social media.

"Extreme conditions like those experienced in Saturday evening's NFL playoff game are bound to test the limits of even the highest performing products," VICIS wrote. "While outer shell damage is not ideal, the ZERO2 helmet did its job of protecting Patrick Mahomes during a head-to-head impact during unprecedented cold temperatures."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Patrick Mahomes' helmet investigation: NFL examining players' helmets