The NFL's Massive Shoulder Pads Could Be Making A Comeback

If you watch an NFL or college football game from the 1990s or even early 2000s, one thing stands out the most: the shoulder pads.

Players back in the 90s and 2000s just wore bigger, bulkier shoulder pads. Players at positions like running back and linebacker wanted the huge shoulder pads, so they could take - and make - forceful hits without feeling them too much.

But in the 2010s and 20s, players have opted for smaller, less-visible shoulder pads. They're doing this to be speedier and more agile. However, is that really what smaller shoulder pads are doing?

Industry experts, who spoke to The Athletic's David Ubben, disagree that smaller shoulder pads are better.

"A lot of it is between the ears," former Navy equipment manager and current Douglas Pads employee Kevin Bull told Ubben. "Kids wanted smaller because they felt they could move faster, but at the end of the day, that's not true. But that's what they thought."

Could big shoulder pads make a comeback?

Smaller shoulder pads could be resulting in more player injuries. This could allow for the return of bigger shoulder pads.

"Nowadays, a player who would run out of the tunnel wearing Mike Alstott-style pads would look even more out of place than Ed McCaffrey did when he seemed to be wearing the shoulder pads from a child's Halloween costume," Pro Football Talk reported.

"Still, with the season likely to increase by another game sooner or later, there could be wisdom in enhancing protection through the extra reps - especially if the smaller shoulder pads don't really help the players with their mobility and agility."

It would be cool to see some variety, at least.

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This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 8:05 AM.