NFL uniform policy: League to allow alternate helmets with non-alternate uniforms

A subtle change is coming to the NFL uniform policy, according to CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr. Teams can now wear their alternate helmet with non-alternate uniforms starting this season.

It may not seem like much, but it gives teams across the NFL different options to customize their looks on Sundays. Or Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays since the NFL owns almost the entire week!

For example, the Philadelphia Eagles can wear their midnight green jerseys with white pants, a traditional combination, and wear their black helmets. The Eagles have a black helmet that goes with their all-black uniforms.

Heck, if you want to get crazy, the Eagles could make their mark on the NFL by wearing their modern uniforms but wear their Kelly Green helmets. Look, it won’t be a great combo, but it’s allowed!

This isn’t the first bit of news when it comes to the NFL uniform policy. Back in March, it was reported that all teams in the NFL would be allowed to wear their throwbacks and alternates up to four times a season. 

Previously, teams were permitted to wear throwbacks or alternates three times throughout the 17-game regular season. Teams with some of the best throwbacks in the sport — from the Seattle Seahawks to the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos to name a few — now have the opportunity to embrace nostalgia a little more.

Broncos team president Damani Leech said the proposal was introduced at the NFL Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla. He added the topic held a level of importance “to basically everyone in the room.”

“We just refreshed the policy, so now we’ll be able to wear the uniforms four times during the regular season,” Leech said. “That will be great. More opportunity to wear the throwbacks, but also more versatility with the helmets.

“So, as an example, we can wear our white helmets with orange-on-orange pants and jerseys. Things like that will just add more flexibility to the closet and hopefully be exciting for the players, but also for the fans.

Other notable throwbacks and alternates that will return in 2025 NFL season are the Eagles’ Kelly Green jerseys, the Detroit Lions’ black tops and the Atlanta Falcons’ red helmeted throwbacks. The Tennessee Titans will be keeping their Houston Oilers throwbacks in the closet for the upcoming season.

Nick Geddes contributed to this report