The NFL may not be synonymous with “No Fun League” much longer.
The league has relaxed some of its stricter rules in recent years, and in the 2022 season teams will no longer have to adhere to the one-helmet rule. Teams can have an alternate helmet that players can wear in games.
The second helmets can be combined with Alternate, Throwback and Color Rush jerseys. This gives each team the flexibility to combine their uniform combinations throughout the season.
This appears to be a win for the NFL as fans will see some of their favorite throwback helmets in game promotions. SN is most excited to see these eight once the 2022 season is over.
PHOTOS: SN ranks the throwback uniforms
Buccaneers
We have to start with the obvious. The Buccaneers’ orange Creamsicle jersey might be the best throwback jersey in the NFL, and the helmet is definitely the best of them all.
The red and orange buccaneer on a white helmet is a great logo that is affectionately called “Bucco Bruce”. It’ll be a lot of fun to see the Tom Brady on the side of his head – assuming the veteran quarterback is still playing in 2022.
Tampa Bay owner Joel Glazer had long spearheaded the push to change the rules of recidivism.
“When it comes to setbacks, we’re always on the league’s doorstep trying to get them to move so we can carry our setbacks,” Glazer told Pewter Report. “We’re not there yet. But there are discussions and hopefully that will happen at some point in the future. I know how popular they are with our fans.”
So it’s safe to say that the Buccaneers will be one of the teams that suffer early and often setbacks once the new helmet rules are in place.
Patriots
Like the Bucs, the Patriots have a solid throwback helmet with a white base and a mascot that doubles as a logo. “Pat the Patriot” may not be as iconic as Bucco Bruce, but of course it’s more interesting than the “Flying Elvis” that currently graces the side of New England helmets.
The Patriots had more success with the Flying Elvis than Pat the Patriot, but fans would likely welcome a return to the red alternatives and classic helmets. You will surely wonder if Mac Jones will be wearing one in ’22 as he wants to step forward as Brady’s successor.
MORE: Madden 22’s early rendering of Mac Jones doesn’t look anything like him
Eagle
There isn’t much difference between the Eagles helmets of new and old. Both have a wing on each side and a green background.
But the shades of green are very different. The newer helmets are midnight green and the older helmets are kelly green. The kelly green stands out and makes for a uniquely bright, uniform combination that fans would love to see again.
Randall Cunningham wore Kelly Green to his Eagles days. Maybe Jalen Hurts would look like a mini Cunningham in these jerseys – if he can develop as a passer.
Hawks
The Falcons changed their uniforms ahead of the 2020 season. They largely butchered what was one of the NFL’s smoother jersey designs, ending up as the fourth worst team in the NFL.
Coincidence? Probably, but it wouldn’t hurt to give the 2022 throwback helmet a chance if the team’s losers continue in 2021.
The Falcons have a sharp looking red helmet with a black Falcons logo on the side. It would offer more pop than their current helmets, which have a black base with a red, black, and white Falcons logo.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have increasingly switched to orange jerseys in recent years to honor the Orange Crush defense, but they still wear dark blue helmets. Orange and blue are complementary colors, but the dark blue makes the uniforms a little less prominent.
Few would complain if the team switched to their old-fashioned baby blue helmets for a handful of games. The logo on them is pretty cool.
These are @Bronco’s coldest helmets … but what’s that color called? Baby blue NC blue? Light Blue? Powder blue? I’m trying to find gear in this color. But when I type “baby blue” it only shows pacifiers and bibs pic.twitter.com/VyOh2r6oo4
– Black Prez (@BlackPrez) June 28, 2019
Sea hawks
The Seahawks completely redesigned their jerseys and helmets in 2012. The move came after Nike took over the NFL’s jersey manufacturing contract from Reebok.
While the modern Seahawks jerseys are sharper and better than the old ones, the silver helmet the team wore before the move has a certain charm.
The green-eyed Seahawk would look great on Russell Wilson’s head and the unique blue face mask would help differentiate the helmet from other setbacks.
Dolphins
Miami’s kit colors are elite and represent the South Florida region well. The dolphin with a helmet that jumped out of the sea into the sun always had something charming about it.
With all due respect to the newer dolphin on Miami’s helmet, we’d love to see our old friend return for a few games each season, if only to give us visions of Dan Marino gracing the field.
Bengal
The Bengals don’t really have a good throwback helmet. They have been using the striped helmet since the 1980s. Why did you make the list? They have the option to make their own alternative helmet instead of using a traditional kickback.
Some have suggested a white and black look. The zebra look with a white Color Rush jersey could be a nice alternative pairing.
That would be pretty cool. Either way, it’s interesting to imagine what the creative team behind one of the best helmets in the NFL can come up with.
Newer expansion teams like the Panthers, Jaguars, and Texans will also endure watching, as they have no traditional setbacks and are free to make their own.
Comments are closed.