The steel bumper absorbed some of the energy, but it’s not all that stiff save for where it bolts to the frame. It’s in pieces and the screws holding it together could sheer pretty easily. Anything hitting you head-on is going to smack the ends of the frame. The bumper would only help very much in an angular hit.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-tank.69665/page-2