The NFL Season just wrapped up and while many will move onto free agency, I want to look at the uniforms of all 32 teams. Over the next month I’ll look at eight teams and review their jersey’s from the 2023-24 season and crown a winner. Helmets, main and alternate uniforms, and logos will be judged. At the end, the winner of each of the four brackets will go head-to-head until only one team remains.
The Falcons are a cautionary tale of how bad a re-brand can be. Atlanta managed to screw up red and black, and they did this by barely featuring red at all. Like many teams whose uniforms I dislike, the Falcons’ home and away uniforms are both bodysuits. A bodysuit (uniform that is all one color) is the second biggest sin a team can commit. What’s the biggest sin you might ask? Any kind of gradient, and of course the Falcons frequently use a gradient alternate uniform. Like all gradient uniforms that came before it, it looks cartoonish and downright awful. Oh, and just in case you forgot where the Falcons play, the massive “ATL” eyesore is there to remind you.
What I would fix: There is no saving the main uniforms; they need to go. Then lean into the uniforms from the ’90s. Wear those jerseys and pants, but use the red helmet used from 1966 to 1989. Atlanta will wear that combo as a throwback from time to time, but make it all the time.
The Saints’ uniforms are such a disappointment. How does the team based in the vibrant city of New Orleans have one of the most boring jerseys in the league? Both the home and away have no striping on the jersey or pants, which, while awful, isn’t even New Orleans’s biggest offense. To put it bluntly, the Saints seemingly have no idea how colors pair together. New Orleans ruined the home uniforms with black pants, instead of the much better-looking gold ones. A black bodysuit for the home, and white one for the away is just such a let down.
What I would fix: Pair the gold pants with the black jersey. Then take the shoulder striping seen on the throwbacks and put them on every uniform.
Carolina made a subtle tweak this year. They changed the shade of blue on the uniforms and it makes a world of difference. The process blue looks great and really pops off the black home uniform. The white aways, blue over grey alternates, and blackout looks add to a very underrated wardrobe.
What I would fix: Carolina tried to make the numbers on the shoulders bigger this season and while it does look better, it’s not good enough to justify having them there. Sticking with the shoulders, replace the logo with the “big cat” logo.
While many teams re-debuted some throwback uniforms in 2023, few look as good as the Bucs’ ‘Creamsicle’ jerseys. The buccaneer on the helmet, along with the sharp and distinct colors make up a unique and beautiful design.
Almost every uniform combo the Buccaneers wear looks amazing, mainly due to buccaneer red and pewter pairing so well together. This current design was actually worn from 1997-2014, then after a not so great re-brand, Tampa went back to this design in 2020.
What I Would Fix: The pewter bodysuit, while unique, doesn’t look good and should be thrown out. Also, while the all-white aways look great, they look better with pewter pants.
Everything the Cowboys do is unique and iconic, and their uniforms are no exception. Dallas is the only team to wear white at home, and certainly the only team to wear a mismatched colors so prominently. The navy-blue star paired with the bright blue numbers and the light blue pants would typically be a graphic design sin. But somehow the Cowboys make it work. Dallas also features an amazing alternate uniform. Their icy white throwback looks beautiful, and challenges for the best single uniform in the NFL.
What To Fix: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Dallas has a beautiful and classic wardrobe that should not be messed with.
While I am higher on the Commanders uniforms than most, they still have a lot of flaws. To put it simply the uniforms lack uniformity. Each set is its own unique template with seemingly little overlap. The home uniforms are a great blend of burgundy and gold, however having it be a bodysuit is a massive disappointment. The white uniform’s use of a diamond pattern is just confusing. And the black out kit may be the worst uniform in the NFL. The only thing saving Washington from being the worst in the league is their helmets. In my opinion the matte design is one of the best shells in the league.
What I would fix: Scrap everything except the home jersey and the helmets. Then pick a new name. Commanders never felt right from the start. I love the Red Wolves idea.
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While New York’s uniforms make no major offenses, I can’t help but notice how lifeless they feel. I’m not a fan of the numbers high on the shoulders, and I feel the white numbers on the blue background is a little boring. The helmet is okay, but I much prefer the Giants script over just “NY”.
I’m a big fan of the throwbacks. The triple mismatch of a navy helmet, blue jersey, and white pants looks amazing on the field.
What I would fix: First slide the numbers on the shoulders down and add some striping at the bottom of the sleeves (like seen on the throwback). Finally, some red lining around the numbers on the home uniform can make the numbers pop.
Oh Kelly Green, how the NFL world missed you.
Philly finally brought back the beloved throwback uniform and I hope it’s here to stay. Even without the throwbacks the Eagles have a sneaky good uniform combo. Midnight green and white looks amazing together, and the helmet is by far the best in the NFL. The only real downside of the Eagles’ uniforms are the black alternates. Not every team can rock the blackout, and Philly is a team that is better off without them.
What I would fix: Most teams could replace their current font with block lettering and have it be a big improvement. I think the Eagles are a team that could make the switch.
Winner:
This was a close race between Dallas and Tampa Bay. Picking a winner was a toss up. In the end Dallas’ superior alternate uniforms is what won the day. While the ‘Creamsicles’ look amazing, the pewter bodysuit is what sunk the Bucs. Dallas pulls out the win and advances to the top four.
Ryan States is in his 3rd year at Lock Haven University, and his second with the Eagle Eye. He is a Journalism major with intentions to minor in Sports Management. With his never-ending passion for all things sports, he wishes to pursue a career as a sports writer for a major outlet. When not watching sports, he can be found playing video games, hanging out with friends at the REC. Or you can find him helping out in the booth during LHU sporting events. His biggest hope while at Lock Haven is to be able to positively contribute to LHU sports in any way he can.
