Well, I seem to have found something to post about. I tried doing one of these posts for baseball but baseball uniforms just don't have enough variety for me to bother so today it's the NFL's turn.
My resource today was The Gridiron Uniform Database.
You know the drill, here we go:
Arizona Cardinals:
This is the NFL's oldest team dating back to 1920 as the Chicago Cardinals. Somehow, since 2005, they've been wearing these modern style uniforms that are just garbage. It's time to go back to a classic look.
This look is basically what the Cardinals wore from 1996 to 2004. Traditonal striping, the Arizona flag on the sleeve. White over red and red over white. Done. It simple Arizona.
Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons updated their look prior to the 2020 season after wearing a modernized look since 2003...both looks are trash in my opinion. The 1960's Falcons are the best look. Red helmet. Black and white uniforms with white pants. Done.
Baltimore Ravens:
Since the Ravens "became a thing" (they're considered an expansion team but in actuality the Browns moved) in 1996 their uniform hasn't really changed too much. I strongly dislike the black over black combo and I really like when they go white over black so I chose the 2009 season's uniforms as my faves.
Buffalo Bills:
My Buffalo Bills. When the team switched over to their current look in 2011 they did not include a blue over blue version. I dislike the "blueberry" option so this is the look I'm choosing. They've had some nice looks in the past but the "standing Buffalo" logo was not a good logo and I prefer the white helmet.
Carolina Panthers:
The Panthers haven't really changed their look much so I'm just going to "choose" their first look. Not much to say here.
Chicago Bears:
Another team that hasn't changed too much (since 1935). I am not a huge fan of the GSH on the sleeve stripes (I respect why they are there but I prefer that they wouldn't be) so I chose the 1982 look as my favorite. Not much to say here, this is a classic look for a classic team.
Cincinnati Bengals:
The original Bengals looked alot like the Browns, The 2000s and onward are a bit gimmicky for me so I chose the late 90s and early 2000s look that had the full Bengal logo on the sleeve (instead of the numbers).
Cleveland Browns:
The Browns left in 1995 for Baltimore and "returned" in 1999. The whole thing was silly but it is what it is. The mid 70s to mid 80s look was my favorite. I love the Browns in orange pants.
Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys are known for their current look that was basically adopted in the mid 60s after the first few years where they wore white helmets with white pants and a blue or white jersey. There have been different alternates and pants combos over the years but the 2020 was my favorite combo. I know the NFL let's you mix and match pants and shirts but I like when teams stick to 1 home, 1 road and an alternate.
Denver Broncos
Awww, the Denver Broncos?! I can't believe this team has been wearing their current look since 1997. Wow. It feels like it's gone from ahead of it's time to "a modern look" to dated. The original yellow and brown Broncos were not good and that original logo was really really bad. I still say it looks like a child drew it. So for me it's the 1967 to 1996 look that is best.
Detroit Lions:
Here's a team that has made a lot of small changes over the years. The team started as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930 and were a purple team until 1934 when the Honolulu blue came to be upon their move to Detroit. I don't need black in the look, I don't need the italic numbers they have now. Just a simple white jersey and a simple blue jersey with grey pants. The 1999/2000 seasons provided that without any alternates and my favorite sleeve striping.
Green Bay Packers:
From 1921 to 1934 this team was a blue and yellow team. In 1959 they changed to their current look adding the logo on the helmet in 1961. There's some fun stuff leading up to 1959 but this look is so iconic and there's really no argument here.
Houston Texans:
The Texans entered the NFL in 2002 and have had the same basic look all along. I like when the texans wear blue over white, white over blue and, red over white which first appeared in 2003.
Indianapolis Colts:
In the early years in Baltimore there were some red uniforms and a blue helmet but by 1957 the Colts moved to their current look and it has remained ever since with the exception of adding grey pants and blue pants (both of which I don't like). The Colts are white over white and blue over white with a white helmet with a horseshoe. Looks good, don't touch.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jags have played around with their look a number of times over the years. Adding a black uniform, then going to some super modern look in 2009. Then in 2013 adding a 2-tone helmet with other modern look. Back to the regular helmet in 2018 with a very basic look. To me the original look in 1995 was the best. The teal was unique and the uniform wasn't crazy.
Kansas City Chiefs:
The Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs have essentially looked the same, minus the logo change, and adding sleeve stripes in 1969. They mix and match pants as everyone does these days but white over red and red over white is the best and just leave it alone otherwise.
Las Vegas Raiders:
Originally the Raiders looked like the Steelers but by 1964 the Raiders were black, white and silver. Originally with silver numbers on the white jersey, by 1965 the plain uniform we all know and love today was adopted regardless of where the team played. Since 2016 the Raiders have used the white jersey with the silver numbers as a 3rd jersey but for me the classic black jersey with silver numbers, white jersey with black numbers, silver pants and helmet and, no sleeve stripes is what's best. It's a shame they couldn't make Oakland work long term but at least the Vegas Raiders still look like the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers:
San Diego/Los Angeles has tweaked a lot over the years but the basic idea is a helmet with a lightning bolt. Jersey with a bolt on the sleeves and, pants with the bolt. They use 2 blues white and yellow which makes for a lot of different uniform combos. The current look is nice but there's so many combinations that it feels like they wear something different every week. In 2020 they wore 7 different pants/jersey combos but by my count they could possibly have 16 different combos. So I went back to the late 60s when they only wore yellow pants and wore light blue and white jerseys.
Los Angeles Rams:
Cleveland, Los Angeles, St. Louis and now, again, Los Angeles have all been the home of this franchise. The've been red and black, blue and yellow, red and yellow, blue and white, even a khaki gold and blue. One thing they've done since 1948 is a horn on the helmet. The current look really has messed with the horn design and I hate it. From 1973 to 1999 the rams were blue and yellow with the horn helmet and the horn design on the sleeves and yellow pants and that is exactly how this team should look today.
Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins changed their logo and simplified their look in 2013 and for the life of me I never understood why. From day 1 in 1966 right through 2012 they had a great look that they only ever tweaked slightly through the years. I prefer the 1974-1988 look where they only had white pants and sleeve stripes with the logo. If nothing else, Miami, bring back the dolphin wearing a helmet logo permanently.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings are one of those teams that have tweaked their looks. From 1961 to 1968 the has traditional sleeve stripes, in 1969 the white jersey changed to should stripes with the purple still being sleeve stripes. in 1996 they added the Viking logo on the sleeves. In 2006 they went to a modern look that was supposed to look like the horn going up the side of the jersey. The current look was adopted in 2013. To me, that 1996 look is the best. It was still close to the original looks but stood out as original.
New England Patriots:
3 unique eras for the Pats. The red and white days with the Patriot logo getting ready to snap the ball. 1993-1999 with the "flying elvis" logo currently used and a light blue and white uniform combo. The 200-to now with dark blue.
I much prefer the original logo but even when the Patriots wear the throwback now I think it looks like a completely different team. The Post-Brady era uniforms they introduced in 2020 are very nice and I think that is the best look to date.
New Orleans Saints:
There have been about a billion small tweaks that the Saints have done over the years. The current set has 12 options at my count. It's too much. 1975 to 1982 (before they started adding more pants combos) was the ideal look in my opinion.
New York Giants:
The Giants have worn a blue jersey and a white jersey with either grey or white pants for so long. They've added in and removed some more red here and there but that's the formula for the most part.For me, the 1932 Giants had a cool look with a chest stripe. I doubt something like this will ever be seen in the NFL again but it might be fun!
New York Jets:
The J-E-T-S seem to go back and forth from the traditional shoulder stripe look to a more modern look with a darker green, then back. The current set is so ugly I can't stand it. Worst NFL uniform on the field right now. The Jets should just go back the shoulder stripe look. They can even play mix and match with green pants if they want Though it should be green over white and white over green.
Philadelphia Eagles:
The Eagles darkened their colours up in 1996 prior to that the colour green was lighter and they used grey instead of black. In the 1930s the team used light blue and yellow. There's one clear better look to me. 1974-1977. The sleeve striping is just so unique. It couldn't be done with today's jerseys because there's not enough room but man it's awesome.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
You probably think this team has looked the same for forever. For the most part they have. In 1997 they changed the number font to the italicised font they use today. In 1963 the changed the helmet from yellow to black. There has been some sleeve and should stripe changes prior to 1969 but in 1969 they adopted the current sleeve stripes. To me the best look was the look prior to the current sleeve stripes. From 1966 to 1968 they had a shoulder yolk that was unique and still was very "Steelers".
Seattle Seahawks:
3 different uniform ears for this team. 1976 to 2001. In 2001 they went modern and changed the colours to have a more teal look. The added a bright green third in 2009 then in 2012 they moved to the current set. In 1983 there was a small change where the sleeve stripes matched the helmet with the logo wrapping around the sleeves. I loved that. So unique but nothing crazy and weird. I'd like this idea to return but with the current colours.
San Francisco 49ers:
Prior to 1957 the team played with grey and white pants. In 1957 they added the gold pants, went back to silver pants (and helmets) in 1959 but in 1964 the classic look came into play. They've added some black and removed it. They've changed up sleeve stripes and they've added white pants but for the most part the 49ers are the 49ers. In 2009 they dropped the black from the uniform and have been using this look since and I hope they never change again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Bucs wore their "creamsicle" look until 1996. They went to pewter and dark red in 1997. In 2014 they adopted the super modern look that featured numbers that looked like a digital alarm clock then, upon Tom Brady's arrival in 2020 they adopted their current look. The orange and white was so unique and I wish they never got rid of it. Update the logo? of course but please bring the creamsicle look back.
Tennessee Titans:
Originally the Houston Oilers, then the Tennessee Oilers for 2 years, The Titans name was adopted in 1999 and the original Titans look was adopted. They changed their look in 2018 to add super thin numbers, changed the helmet to blue and, add shoulder yolks that are meant to look like swords. To be honest the current look would be what an arena football team called the Argos would wear. It's trash. The double blue of the Titans was unique with should yolks and a modern font but nothing too cray. It was nice. I much preferred the Oilers look though, specifically the 1972-1974 look with the blue helmet.
Washington Commanders:
The Boston Braves/Boston Redskins/Washinton Redskins/Washington Football Team/Washington Commanders franchise has changed a lot visually.
If I listed all the changes this already long entry would at least double.
To me, 1965 to 1969 was the best look for a number of reasons. I always liked the darker maroon colour, I like the spear wrapping around the helmet and, when the name change controversy came around I thought they could use this look and change the name to something like "warriors" but still feel like the old team. Seemed like a nice compromise to me.
Ok. That's that. Another one in the book. I suspect there will be a soccer related one soon.
