MIAMI GARDENS — You have to hope Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell never looks back with regret on the choice he’s making.

That he never has to wonder what was he thinking.

The same applies not only to his teammates but to all NFL players choosing the same path.

The NFL is allowing players to wear Guardian Caps during games for the first time in 2024. Those are the odd-looking, oversized caps designed to lessen the chance of concussions.

“With CTE and all the studies about it, I think it’s beneficial,” Campbell said. “For sure.”

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So will he take advantage?

“I won’t be wearing it during the game,” he said.

Why?

“I don’t like the aesthetics of it.”

So, they don’t look cool? Neither do Crocs. Regrettably, people got used to them.

Players aren't lining up to wear Guardian Caps

This is not meant to single out Campbell. Although this hardly even qualifies as a sample size, three other Dolphins were asked about the caps this week. Not one is planning to wear the caps. Among the reasons cited were they’re too hot, too heavy or that players simply aren’t used to them during games and don’t want to change now.

Not one player doubted that they make the sport safer. They'd be bucking science if they did.

“I love to use them in training camp,” offensive lineman Rob Jones said. “It just protects you while you’re going out there. The O-line and D-line are all about physicality. We go out there and we’re always aggressive. But when game time comes, we’re just going out there to play football. And the guys who wear it, they want to stay safe. It’s not going to change a thing, just keep you a little bit safer.”

That’s no small “thing” to change, you must say. NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller said the Guardian Caps cut concussions by 50% for position groups that wore them in practice. The NFL cleared the way for the caps to be worn on game days based on two years of data.

“I think anything that gives players confidence and conviction with how they play is an added benefit,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “Player safety is of the utmost importance. Players can’t do what they’ve worked their whole lives to do if they can’t be on the field.”

McDaniel plans to leave the decision up to each player.

“I would support anybody wearing it and if people choose not to wear it, I’ll support them, too,” he said.

Jordyn Brooks calls them ’UFO caps'

Seattle quarterback Geno Smith said he’s considering wearing one during games, but the bandwagon still has plenty of availability.

It’s clear that the caps won’t dominate your TV screen on Sundays without a league mandate or a major change in players’ attitudes. On more than one occasion they’ve conjured comparisons to The Great Gazoo alien on the old "Flintstones" cartoons.

“I call them UFO caps, honestly,” Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks said.

Brooks added, “It’s like an extra 10 pounds on your head. It makes it a lot hotter, heavier.”

There’s debate about that.

“You really don’t feel a difference,” Jones said. “Only difference you can kind of feel is hitting.”

That’s important, of course. Players are never going to embrace Guardian Caps if the experience is such that it takes focus away from their performance. Professional athletes are creatures of habit, so much so that European soccer players have joined clubs in Florida and still insisted on wearing long-sleeved jerseys simply because that’s what they’re used to — never mind the heat.

“I’ve just been playing football a certain way for a long time,” Dolphins Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead said. “I’m not really getting into changing that up.”

You have to hope that's the best decision.

Not just for today but for the long haul.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins aren't planning on wearing protective Guardian Caps in NFL games