The 2022 NFL season is going to have a bit of a wrinkle: For the first time since 2013, NFL teams are going to have true secondary helmets. Rather than teams sometimes switching or removing decals to go with different uniform sets, they’ll have the opportunity to wear alternate helmets for a different looks.
The rule was approved in 2021, and teams had to notify the NFL if they intended to use alternate helmets this season by no later than July 31 last year. So far, 12 teams have released alternate lids.
The Saints were the first team to show off their new look debuting a black helmet that will complete their blackout look. They were followed by the Texans and their “Battle Red” alternates.
Among the most recent teams to show off their new looks have been the Giants and Cowboys, both of whom are going for a retro appearance.
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NFL alternate jerseys are always interesting, particularly because so many of them are historic rather than innovative. It seems the new helmets are letting teams get a bit more creative.
Here’s an update on where we’re at around the NFL.
The retro
Dallas Cowboys
You can’t take the star off the Cowboys’ helmet, but there’s no reason to. Even without the classic silver base, it’s going to look iconic. Dallas will be sacrificing its silver helmets for Thanksgiving this year, opting instead for a white-based helmet with the classic star, sans outline. It will perfectly complement their classic Thanksgiving jerseys.
Keepin’ it classic with a throwback on Thanksgiving Day!
#DallasCowboys | #TBT pic.twitter.com/JfBwY9YK57— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 21, 2022
New York Giants
The Giants are going for a retro look as well, getting rid of the iconic NY on their helmets for the arguably equally iconic “GIANTS” throwback. They’re also completing the look with their classic look from the 1980s and 1990s, a lighter blue with red accents on their jersey.
The @Giants are throwing it back with their classic blue uniforms and helmets this season. ⏪ pic.twitter.com/tvasBANDgd
— NFL (@NFL) July 20, 2022
New England Patriots
Pat Patriot is BACK in his old threads. The Patriots are fully embracing their throwback mascot, donning red jerseys in addition to bringing center Pat back to the forefront. Fingers crossed Bucco Bruce is somewhere in the hopper so Tom Brady can, in fact, wear an iconic mascot on his helmet this season.
*Matty McFly. pic.twitter.com/lqqMG13VXl
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 22, 2022
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ jersey reveal was met with skepticism last year, as all modernized NFL jerseys are. They’ll be going back to an old look at least a few times this season, as they wear red helmets alongside their classic black jerseys. They’ll be wearing them against the 49ers, a team they battled it out with for years in the NFC West. In a cool twist, they’re wearing the original version with gold trim, meant to pay homage to Georgia Tech in addition to the obvious Georgia reference. For the Falcons, less is clearly more.
Get ready for RED‼️ pic.twitter.com/6aP5b4UUiJ
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 2, 2022
The modern
Carolina Panthers
Is the all-black trend a bit worn out? Arguably yes. But the Panthers are the perfect team for it. At the very least, they’re going with a matte base that is standing out, and the teal accents look good in conjunction with their full kits.
The @Panthers black alternate helmets are CLEAN. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JxvCwKPDTn
— NFL (@NFL) July 19, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals
If you’re sick of blackouts, the Bengals are following in the footsteps of their cat brethren at Penn State and going full whiteout. The defending AFC champs are completing their color rush uniforms with a white helmet, and frankly, it looks awesome.
A deal’s a deal. 🤝
Presented by Swift Meats pic.twitter.com/miE5FLlzdS
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 22, 2022
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Houston Texans
The Houston Texans’ look is controversial, and they’re shying away from the matte look a lot of teams seem to be going for. They’re all-red and they have a look that evokes chrome. They’re completing the “Battle Red” cry the Texans have pushed for years, and they’ll be worn with red jerseys. It’s certainly the biggest deviation the Texans have pushed in their uniforms in the team’s 21-year history.
How we feelin’, Texans fans? Drop an emoji ⬇🔥
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 12, 2022
Washington Commanders
The Commanders aren’t just getting a new name change: They’re getting a whole new look as well. One of their alternate looks to the burgundy will be a full black-out look, with this helmet being used as a model. The team is pretty minimalist in general. The helmets follow that trend.
Profile look of black unis is dope. Love the DC flag patch pic.twitter.com/7ox1wIMXcD
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 2, 2022
New Orleans Saints
The Saints haven’t had a non-gold helmet since 1969, and they’ve never worn anything but their classic look in the regular season. That will change this year, as the Saints debut a black alternate helmet that vaguely resembles their alternate look from the 1969 preseason. It’s hard to tell, but they might be carrying a two-tone look; Glossy on top, matte on the bottom.
First Look 👀#Saints pic.twitter.com/QKMYdNru5Y
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 16, 2022
New York Jets
The Jets have one of the NFL’s most consistently shifting looks when it comes to logos and uniforms. While some fans were clamoring for a retro look for the upcoming season, the team opted to introduce a matte black helmet instead. They also have a green facemask. They’ll be worn three times this season.
🔥🖤✈️ pic.twitter.com/zTVd4QNIGU
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 22, 2022
