USA Today’s updated NFL uniform rankings weren’t kind to the New York Jets’ look, but they had a suggestion to raise their posting.
Even in a new era, the New York Jets are dealing with sagging approval ratings.
USA Today’s Nate Davis unveiled fresh NFL uniform power rankings this week in the wake of the Cincinnati Bengals putting out new threads. Alas for Jets fans, Davis wasn’t complimentary toward the Jets’ modern look, which ranked 23rd of 32. It’s a two-spot drop for an aesthetic that’s set to enter its third NFL season.
In his comments, Davis says that the Jets have gone 9-23 since introducing their new set and that several of those who modeled their look in a 2019 unveiling (including Sam Darnold, Jamal Adams, and Leonard Williams) are gone. Despite the detriments, Davis did post a solution that could solve the Jets’ supposed fashion woes.
“Now that the green helmets are finally back – and that “Gotham Green” is a nice shade – it remains possible to fix this ensemble by simply reintroducing the slick block “JETS” logo from the 1980s.”
The logo referenced served as the Jets’ primary emblem from 1978 through 1997 before a modernized version of the oval logo and uniforms they wore in Super Bowl 3 was introduced. That logo was tweaked after over two decades in 2019, upon the arrival of the new uniforms.
Many observers noted that the return of a green helmet allows the Jets to wear an authentic throwback uniform, though no such plans or designs have been announced.
Current NFL rules that allow players to wear only a single helmet throughout a season eliminated many throwbacks, including the Jets’ New York Titans tribute worn during the 2009 and 2011 seasons. The NFL has recently considered rescinding this rule, but no official changes have been made.
Notably, the Jets were the first team in NFL history to wear a throwback uniform, doing so in a November 1993 win over Cincinnati. The original throwback identical to the jerseys they wore in their Super Bowl victory, albeit with green helmets bearing the modernized oval.
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AFC West teams dominated the top of USA Today’s uniform list as the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders ranked first and second, respectively. The Bengals’ new look prompting the poll placed 17th, while the Arizona Cardinals rounded out the field in 32nd.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
