Sportz NFL Uniforms Wishes

With the NFL now allowing for an array of uniform styles during the season, I'd like to take the chance to just pick what I would like every team to use as their primary uniforms. This is nothing more than just a dream post that needs no arguments. I'm not saying to not have alternative or throwback uniforms, but my picks are what I'd like as their normal unis. Just a preference. Let's go. 

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys: Well, this is easy. Their long time uniforms don't need any changes. It is akin to the Yankees' pinstripes or the Canadiens sweaters. 

New York Giants: The Giants have had their uniforms in place for a long time, with the only change being their helmets. I grew up with the entire GIANTS name on the helmet, which I really like. But I think the NY logo should be the one that stays. 

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles kelly green uniforms really pop. Like the Giants, that's the era of Eagles I grew up with. But also like the Giants, I think their current look is the one to go for. They've had this look for a long, long time and they've won two Super Bowls with it. The kelly greens are an outstanding alternative. 

Washington Commanders: This one is a bit complicated because of the name change a few years ago. Having said that, merging the old uniforms with the new logo/name seems to be the popular look.  It looks better than the ones they designed, and since I'm not using this exercise to create new unis, the helmet is the way to go.  

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: There are a lot of options. There are the red jerseys and helmets of the 80s, the all-black of the 1990s and a lot of combinations in between. But I'm going to land on the ones Julio Jones is wearing here. It has the nice mix of both the red and black.

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have had pretty much the same look for their entire existence, with the exception of a tweak to their logo some years back. That look is great and should never be changed. 

New Orleans Saints: The Saints uniforms ... for the most part ... have been the same for a long, long time. Let's stick to what works. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I know people really love the orange creamcicle uniforms, but I only like them as a throwback. Those uniforms are from a time where the Bucs were a laughingstock organization and doesn't represent the success they've had with the pewter look. Now, there have been adjustments to the pewter helmets and uniforms (ugh, those clock radio number fonts). I like the early 2000s look where the flag on the helmet wasn't as large and the pants were pewter. 

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: The Bears classic look stays. 

Detroit Lions: While there have been slight changes to the uniforms, the Honolulu blue and the meaness of the logo, the style has been pretty consistent. I like the uniforms they had before the more recent change. Let's land there. 

Green Bay Packers: This is easy. Next. 

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are one of the teams that had a certain look, then ruined it by tampering too much, only to modernize the basic look. Their current look is very appropriate. 

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are at their best with the classic look. I do like the meaner cardinal on the helmet, but their uniform choices are really clean. The all-white look is awesome. I'm not a fan of the color rush look, but the Cardinals' all-reds are doable. For this exercise, I'm picking the red jerseys with the white pants, but I can go with all white or all red as well. It gives the classic look for one of the oldest franchises in the NFL while looking modern for a team in a sleek dome in the desert. 

Los Angeles Rams: The Rams have had wild changes over time. The era I grew up with was the blue helmets with the simple yellow rams horns with yellow pants. The blue jerseys also had the yellow horns on the shoulders. When they moved to St Louis, the yellow turned to a dark gold look. That color should only live in Missouri. Once upon a time, the rams horns were white and they brought that back to LA for a bit. The current look is a modernization of that mixed with off white jerseys. I'm going to live in the now ... as much as I want that Eric Dickerson look ... I'll go with what they look like now. Not so much the off-white but the modernization of the classic look works well with their indoor digs in LA. 

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers look has actually had quite a bit of changes over the last four decades. I like that the Niners have gone back to modernize the era most people connect them with. Updating the Joe Montana look is the way to go. I like the gold pants instead of the white uniforms. I don't like the black additions to the logo or helmets, so keeping it old school is the way to go.

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks current look is great and lends itself to a lot of opportunities for alternates. Their throwbacks are nice as well. But their current look is fantastic. 

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills: Yeah, I want the 1990s Bills look back. The red helmets with the white masks. The blue jerseys. Give me that over the white helmets. 

Miami Dolphins: This one is tough. I do like the modern version of the Dolphins uniforms. The bright jerseys with the sleek dolphin. I am a fan. But when I see those throwback uniforms out there, I just really like them. The old school dolphin with the M helmet is great while the orange accents really look cool. 

New England Patriots: Many think the Patriots uniforms come down the Pat the Patriot versus Elvis the Patriot. Helmet wise ... yeah. But the Elvis helmet had those busy uniforms in the 90s and even the Tom Brady era uniforms had some changes. But the main one people think of should be the ones we go with. I do like the updated look of the uniforms now ... but let's go back to greatness. 

New York Jets: I don't think any Jets uniforms are very good. I'll start off by saying I didn't like the white helmet look they had in the 1960s and then brought back in the 2000s. I kinda think the uniforms they are doing now are okay enough. Just don't gloss up the helmets. 

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: I would really like the Texans to be able to get back the Oilers branding and change either to the Oilers ... or keep the Texans name and just use the Oilers look (it works). But I'm not doing hypotheticals here, so lets' keep the Texans uniforms the same. 

Indianapolis Colts: Keep it simple. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have been all over the place with their uniforms. Their original look got axed before they even got started. The weird color change helmets were a miss. Their current ones aren't bad at all ... but when they wear those throwbacks from the Mark Brunell era ... it looks classy. It looks great. I looks like the winner to me. 

Tennessee Titans: Obviously the Titans are tied with the Oilers, but I really feel they should give that history back to Houston. That's for another discussion, but having said that I am taking the Oilers option off the table. The Titans uniforms break down to the white helmet era to the current blue helmet look. Give me the McNair look. 

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: The look the Ravens have used for a long time is just fine. 

Cincinnati Bengals: A long time ago, I told a friend of mine that the Bengals need to go back to those 1980s uniforms with a bit of modern sprucing. That was when they were wearing those candy corn uniforms. Magically, they did exactly that when the Joe Burrow era hit. So that's where I'm going with the uniforms. Sometime the right look was there all the time. 

Cleveland Browns: The Browns should take note. They've done several changed to their uniforms and they all, frankly, suck. The Browns have a classic look that works just fine and shouldn't deviate from it. No big "Cleveland Browns" workmark or weird bars on the unis. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: The classic look you know continues to work. 

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos: I usually like to stick with your championship look. But with the Broncos, I absolutely love the orange crush jerseys with the blue helmet and the D logo on them. It's so great. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs have known they've got it right. 

Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders have a uniform that should never, ever be changed. 

Los Angeles Chargers: Like the Buccaneers orange unis, I am against the grain on the Chargers powder blue uniforms. I enjoy them as a throwback than their primary jersey. Sure, I am absolutely fine with the look and it goes well with SoFi Stadium. But I really liked the navy blue helmets and uniforms of the 1990s. The Chargers have that integrated in a modern look, but I kinda like it the old school way with just a little updated look. 

NFL's Head Coaching Carousel Moves Along

Putting the humanity of coaches losing their jobs and livelihood aside, there are few non-competition events in sports that bring the energy of coaching changes. Typically fans have an anger towards a coach or a regime that they demand change, so if it happens it opens up a world of hope of what could happen next (it also can continue the dread when coaches are retained). Let's look at what has happened and what this all means.

JOBS THAT ARE OPEN

NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants fired Brian Daboll mid-season so they've already been looking at their next move. The Giants are an attractive option for the top candidates. The New York market, they seemingly have their quarterback in place, they have some other young talent on both sides of the ball, and they have a very high draft pick. They also have a GM that acquired a lot of that talent via the draft, but is unpopular due to the Giants poor records recently. 

TENNESSEE TITANS: The other team to fire their head coach mid-season, the Titans are a nice option as well. Cam Ward had an okay rookie season, so there is a QB in place. They are also heading into the final year at Nissan Stadium before moving into their new domed stadium in 2027. This is a fixer-upper with potential. The problem? It has what I call a "red flag ownership" that blew it by firing Mike Vrabel and hired Brian Callahan. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: This, to me, is a mess. The Raiders also have "red flag ownership" who has cycled through coaches way too much. Since Jon Gruden's first term with the Raiders, they have had Bill Callahan (two seasons), Norv Turner (two), Art Shell (one), Lane Kiffin (one-plus), Tom Cable (two-plus), Hue Jackson (one), Dennis Allen (two-plus), Tony Sparano (12 games), Jack Del Rio (three), Jon Gruden (three-plus), Rich Bisaccia (12 games), Josh McDaniels (one-plus), Antonio Pierce (one-plus), and Pete Carroll (one). They have no quarterback ... except for the GOAT who is apparently running things in Vegas, Tom Brady. There is a ton of cap space and a couple nice players, but the cupboard is pretty bare. Oh, and you play in a division with the Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs.

ARIZONA CARDINALS: Another "red-flag" owner who will be having their fifth head coach in ten years. Like Vegas, there is some pieces, but they lack a quarterback. It seems that the Kyler Murray era in Arizona is over and that the Cardinals will be looking for a new signal caller. They also play in a division with the Seahawks, Niners and Rams. Good luck. 

CLEVELAND BROWNS: I'm not saying "red-flag" owner, but "red-flag organization". The Browns are the standard for a bad franchise in the NFL. They've barely had any success since the 1980s, they have made the worst player acquisition in NFL history (DeShaun Watson) that is still haunting the salary cap, and they have wasted the careers of two of the best players at their position over the last few decades (Joe Thomas, Myles Garrett). Despite drafting two quarterbacks last year, there is no solid solution at the position. The good part is that the fan base is outstanding and if you can get this thing finally going then you are a legend. The Browns defense is also one of the elite units in the league and the division is in a bit of turmoil. You just got to solve the puzzle that is winning in Cleveland. 

ATLANTA FALCONS:  We've talked about ownership, and of all the openings Arthur Blank may be the most out front owner of any of the franchises with openings. Atlanta was tied for the division championship this past season (okay, they were 8-9) and there is some really, really talented players already on this roster. But the quarterback situation is weird. The 2024 signing of Kirk Cousins, then drafting Michael Penix, has been a stress on the organization. Cousins played better than Penix this season (the opposite was true in 2024), but Cousins is nearing the end of his career while Penix has a history of injuries. Not to mention that while Penix is entering just his third season, he will be 26 years old when the season kicks off. There will be a new CEO and GM as well as a head coach, so this will be a clean slate in the organizational structure. You are also in a division where no team had a winning record so it is wide open. 

BALTIMORE RAVENS: This one is a bit complex. Let me start that I'm not a fan of firing John Harbaugh. I understand that they haven't met the ultimate expectations and that sometimes a guy is there too long. I don't buy into the second part here. Since Harbaugh took over, the Ravens have had the fourth best record in the NFL over that span. Before this season (one where their two-time MVP has been injured), the Ravens were 25-9 the previous two years. So if you take this job, you are required to not only get this team back into the playoffs but to a Super Bowl. That's the expectation. This isn't a rebuild but a job that needs a closer. All that while Lamar Jackson has contract issues coming up, some aging pieces to sort through, and uneven performances this past season. They've also had some epically big mistakes in losses in elimination games in each of the last four seasons. 

JOBS THAT COULD BE OPEN: There isn't a deadline to fire your coach, so it isn't locked in that these seven openings are all that we'll have. With John Harbaugh now a coaching candidate, a team could look to upgrade their situation by hiring Harbaugh and firing the guy they currently have.

MIAMI DOLPHINS: This is the strange one right now. Mike McDaniels is still the coach "until told otherwise" and is apparently going to be involved in hiring the new GM. While I believe McDaniels will get another season, it isn't set in stone. The new GM may elect to bring his own guy in. And with Harbaugh on the market, this is a perfect candidate for an upgrade. There is talent on the team, but it seems the Tua Tagovailoa experiment is done. Note that there are quite a few teams that need an answer at quarterback (Dolphins, Jets, Colts, Browns, Steelers, Raiders, Cardinals) and not many options to fill those spots. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: While the Steelers beat the Ravens and earned the AFC North title and a playoff berth, fans have been demanding postseason relevance. The Steelers just can't win in the playoffs. If Mike Tomlin's team loses ... at home ... to the Houston Texans then they cries will be much louder about his future. With Harbaugh already cut loose in Baltimore, I could see the Steelers follow suit. 

NEW YORK JETS: While I don't get the Ravens firing Harbaugh, I don't understand how the Jets haven't fired Aaron Glenn. Normally I am not a guy that believes a guy should be fired after just one season, if there was anyone this side of Urban Meyer that would change my mind it would be what Glenn and the Jets did in 2025. They were bad enough to earn the No. 2 overall pick. They weren't competitive over the last month or two of the season (they were outscored 188-54 in their final five games). They went an entire season without an interception. Glenn was a former DB and this team became the first team to not record a pick!?!?!  They have no quarterback, they'll likely lose their running back, and their best players are looking to jump off a sinking ship. If you draft a quarterback with that 2nd pick, why would you tie him to what could be a lame-ducked Glenn? 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Shane Steichen keeps his job, but that could change if the Colts think they can bring Harbaugh in. Aside from that (or if Tomlin comes available), I do think he stays. 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: It just doesn't seem like Todd Bowles is as safe as he should be. The Bucs finally didn't win the NFC South and now his job is in jeopardy? Ridiculous. However, the Harbaugh firing in Baltimore changes things. I can see them dumping Bowles if they think they could lock in Harbaugh. 

BUFFALO BILLS: There is a crossroads for the Bills this postseason that this may be the worse roster that Josh Allen has pulled into the playoffs, while also may be the best chance for the Bills to break through and finally get to a Super Bowl. No Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow to deal with and the top three seeds are young teams with young QBs who haven't been in this kind of pressure before. If the Bills are one-and-done, is Sean McDermott out? Could this be a spot where Harbaugh lands? I mean, if you look at the 2026 season, the Patriots are going to keep getting stronger, Mahomes will miss a lot of the season with his Achilles recovery, the Ravens are pivoting with a new coach and this could be the season where the window is still open for the Bills to drive through. Would the Bills decide to try something else to maximize that opportunity? 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Nick Sirianni has gone to two Super Bowls, winning one. They've done very well. But the narrative around the team is that they are doing this because of GM Howie Roseman and despite Sirianni. If the Eagles crash in the playoffs, would the Eagles consider moving on from him? Philly would eventually fire Doug Pederson despite what he did and it worked out. This is a cut-throat franchise that is willing to make tough personnel decisions to maximize their ability to win. 

JOBS THAT A VERY SAFE, BUT FOR HOW LONG? 

CINCINNATI BENGALS: Zac Taylor would likely be fired if he was anywhere else. Heck, it the AFC North alone, two franchises have already fired their head coaches while another has been discussed ad nauseum for over a year. But Taylor has an owner that doesn't like to pay people to not be there and one who is arguably the most patient in the league. Taylor has done more in his eight seasons than Marvin Lewis did in his ... and Lewis got to stay on for twice as along.  The Bengals perpetually live in the "if we can get healthy and get some consistency, we'd be a great team" realm. 

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Dan Quinn had one great season and one mess of a season. Going into year 3 there will be pressure to get Washington back to the magic they had in 2024. Can Quinn do that? Usually changing coordinators is the last act before a head coach is canned and Quinn is changing his OC and DC this offseason. Keeping Jayden Daniels healthy will be the top priority next season and fortifying the talent on the roster (especially on defense) is a must. If this looks more like 2025 than 2024, Quinn could be in trouble in 2026. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS: I find it absolutely stupid that Matt LaFleur's job status is in question. Yet, it is. 

ABSOLUTELY SAFE FOR A WHILE

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Kellen Moore seems to have something in Tyler Shough. His job will be tied to him. 

CAROLINA PANTHERS: Dave Canales got the Panthers into the playoffs. 

DETROIT LIONS: Dan Campbell is far from perfect, but his culture works. He needs to control his risks a bit better while finding someone else to call plays in '26.

DALLAS COWBOYS: Brian Schottenheimer looked very capable this season. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Kevin O'Connell is so highly thought of. His task is to develop J.J. McCarthy. 

HOUSTON TEXANS: DeMeco Ryans has this team rolling. 

CHICAGO BEARS: Ben Johnson showed why he was the hottest name in the last few coaching cycles.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Liam Coen can pronounce DUVALLLLL however he wants. 

DENVER BRONCOS: Sean Payton was hired to turn around the franchise, and he has. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Mike Vrabel did exactly what the Patriots wanted done. 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Mike Macdonald has quietly been outstanding. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Kyle Shanahan might have done his finest coaching job in 2025.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Jim Harbaugh isn't going anywhere. 

LOS ANGELES RAMS: Sean McVay leaves when he says so. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Andy Reid will leave when he wants.