ESPN
Oct 10, 2022, 08:33 PM ET
In 2021, the NFL approved rule changes allowing alternate helmets with throwback uniforms.
The use of a second helmet was dropped in 2013 over concerns that wearing more than one helmet might not be safe for players. As those concerns eased, clubs lobbied for a second helmet because options for alternate jerseys were expanded in 2018. The new uniforms could be used starting in the 2022 season.
According to a league memo, the second helmet can be worn only with so-called classic, alternate or Color Rush jerseys.
That means some of the best classic NFL uniforms could be back this season. Some teams have begun showing off new helmets and uniforms or letting fans know that their favorite retro combination will be back.
All about orange
New season, new helmet color. The Chicago Bears will be debuting an alternate orange helmet on Thursday, when the Bears host the Washington Commanders at Soldier Field. The helmet, which will be worn for two games this season, marks the first time in Chicago history that the primary color of the Bears' helmet is anything other than navy blue.
π§π§π§π§π§π§π§π§π§
β Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 24, 2022
π§π§π§10-13-22 π§π§π§
π§π§π§π§π§π§π§π§π§ pic.twitter.com/xExibqEzO1
The Bears gave fans another preview of their new orange uniforms on Monday.
π πΎπππππ πΌπππ π°ππππππππ π pic.twitter.com/dgtzci0Dto
β Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 11, 2022
Black on black on black
The Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers already had black jerseys and pants in the team closet. Now they've all added the black helmet.
An alternate vibe for 2022 π pic.twitter.com/cin3NX5Xcp
β Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 24, 2022
π₯·πΎβοΈπ₯ https://t.co/F9N7kuNDgD
β CJ Mosley (@TreyDeuce32RTR) July 22, 2022
Panthers' new black alternative helmets that occasionally will be worn this season (πΈ @Panthers): pic.twitter.com/f6XzRE0fbn
β Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2022
Two classics return
Two NFC East rivals are bringing back old-school uniforms.
The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back a fan favorite with their white helmets and 1960s-era uniforms. These are the uniform design from the Cowboys' first season.
LETS GOOOO!! https://t.co/Y6uWzphvb1
β Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 21, 2022
The New York Giants have a uniform of more recent vintage. Dating from the 1980s and '90s, the Giants' set is the uniforms seen when the team won its first two Super Bowls. The uniforms will also include an alternate, throwback helmet with the block-letter "GIANTS" decal.
Red alert in Houston
The Houston Texans have been around since 2002. In that time, they've worn only dark blue headgear. That will change this season. The team announced the "Battle Red" helmet to be worn Nov. 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
When we text "π΄" that means we're Battle RED-y pic.twitter.com/gpyi4RfZkx
β Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 12, 2022
i told you we'd get new helmets when helmets fly pic.twitter.com/4j3MxrcXsG
β TORO π (@TexansTORO1) July 12, 2022
Pat Patriot is back
The New England Patriots will bring back their red uniforms and white helmets with the classic "Pat Patriot" logo. This was the franchise's first uniform, starting in 1960. It stayed the team's uniform until Bill Parcells' arrival in 1993. With him came the royal blue jerseys and the "Flying Elvis" logo. However, between 1994 and 2013, the Patriots are 9-3 in this uniform.
Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me the red uniforms are back? pic.twitter.com/X1pd6kpdpG
β New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 22, 2022
Saints bet on black
For their new uniforms, the New Orleans Saints are reversing their helmet color scheme. Normally sporting a gold helmet with black decal, New Orleans' new helmet is black. The Saints will wear the helmet with their all-white Color Rush uniforms.
Another red lid
The Atlanta Falcons are bringing red helmets back for the team's Week 6 game against the San Francisco 49ers. While the team's original helmet, in 1966, was red, this one is slightly different. It features gold stripes, a color combination the team says is to honor the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.
Kelly green in Philly
The Philadelphia Eagles are throwing it all the way back to the days of Reggie White and Randall Cunningham.
"It's what we've wanted and we're going to be able to introduce that for that season," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in March. "It's going to be, if you all remember the '90s and '80s with Randall and Reggie and Jerome [Brown] and Seth [Joyner] and Clyde [Simmons] and everybody, it's going to be that uniform and it's going to be as identical to what that existed as possible."
Think we posted too many memes π€·ββοΈ@Toyota | #KellyGreenIsBack pic.twitter.com/2PsgNhAJDh
β Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 29, 2023
β Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 29, 2023
