Do All NFL Players Have Headsets In Their Helmets?

Having a piece of electronic device inside a helmet as a means of communication surely sounds like a much more modern invention than it is. The origins of this little discovery in reality go back to 1956. At the time, NFL head coach Paul Brown who was also the coach of the Cleveland Browns was approached by two inventors from Ohio, namely, John Campbell and George Sarles to try out a headset that would enable the coach to speak with his quarterback on the field. However, this technology was banned just three games into the preseason. After 1956, it would take nearly four decades for the helmet radio to see the day of light once again. It made its way back into the league from the 1994 season onwards.

Who wears headsets in the NFL?

Headsets in the NFL are restricted only to coaches so they can communicate with one player from both offense and defense on the field. However, player's speaker inside the helmet have only one way communication. The headset of coaches have a built-in microphone which allows them to talk directly to one offensive and defensive player on the field who. Since the NFL does not allow players to communicate back to their coaches, their helmets are not fitted with a headset. Rather, players are allowed to have a helmet equipped with a speaker but not a microphone. Usually, on the offense, it is the quarterback while on the defense, it is the middle or inside linebacker (via NFL.com).

How many NFL players have headsets?

As per the rules, players on a team are not allowed to use headsets in their helmets. However, only one offensive and one defensive player is allowed to hear what a coach is saying as a means of communication. As a result, these players' helmets are fitted only with speakers to have a one-way mode of communication (via NFL.com).

Generally, the quarterback is the easiest choice on the offensive side of the ball as he is the commander of the offense and will lead the team down the field. As for the defensive player, more often than not, it will either be a middle or inside linebacker who has a helmet fitted with a speaker (via NFL.com).

It is mandatory for players who are wearing communication devices in their helmets to have a green dot on the back of the helmet. This is useful for referees to identify which players are communicating with their coaches (via Pro Football Network).

Can quarterbacks hear the coach?

Quarterback helmets are equipped only with a speaker in their helmet. Ideally, the NFL allows one offensive and defensive player to be equipped with a speaker in their helmet. On the offense, it is the quarterback. The quarterbacks typically can hear the coach call a play from the sideline but that communication gets automatically cut when the play clock runs down to 15 seconds (via NBC Sports).