The Detroit Lions will be among several NFL teams introducing a new alternate helmet in 2023 before unveiling new uniforms for the 2024 season, team president Rod Wood told the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday.
“There will not be new uniforms in 2023,” Wood said. “I know people get over their skis on that. It takes really two years to really get going, so (chief communications and brand officer) Brian (Facchini) and a team have been kind of working with Nike, looking at uniforms that will probably be for 2024.
“It could be an interesting overhaul of the uniforms. We will have a new alternative helmet though this year. We didn’t do that (in 2022).”
It’s unclear what the new helmet will look like, but it’s worth noting it can only be worn with Detroit’s anthracite “Color Rush” uniform. It is expected to look significantly different than the Lions’ current silver helmet, though, which suggests it could be Honolulu Blue rather than a darker shade of gray to match the alternate design.
“You maybe have three helmets because you have the (standard silver), then you take the logos off for the throwback, then we’ll have (the new helmet) for the grays,” Wood said. “Then, in 2024, we might have some additional uniforms, alternate, that we can wear with it.”
As we mentioned last spring when Wood told reporters gathered at the annual NFL owners meetings that Detroit was exploring potential uniform changes, the Lions have worn their current uniform set since 2017. League rules allow teams to modify their uniforms every five seasons.
One thing we know for certain is the franchise won’t honor its humble beginnings as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans, who wore purple and gold uniforms from 1930-33, or their stints with red and black in the late 1940s and early 1950s when it gets new uniforms in 2024.
“We’re not going to the Portsmouth colors,” Wood said. “No, it’ll still be within the blues and the grays. I think it’s too early to say exactly, but I would describe it at least initially as probably being more change than the last time we did it, ‘cause I think those were more subtle changes.”
In addition to the Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers previously announced they will wear throwback uniforms – which include Kelly green, silver and white helmets, respectively – in 2023. Sources have indicated the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts will have alternate or throwback helmets, as well.
The Eagles were one of 13 teams to introduce a second helmet in 2022, the first year after the league relaxed its one-helmet rule. Unless the league amends that rule to allow three different helmets (not designs, as some teams simply swap the decals on one of their helmets to create a third design), their black helmet will be reconditioned to Kelly green.
Other teams that wore new alternate and/or throwback helmets in 2022 include the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys (x2), Houston Texans, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets and Washington Commanders.
Note: I was not able to complete our Detroit Lions redesign contest after dealing with a personal loss last summer, but I would like to reopen the contest to any new entries. They must be submitted by 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 5.
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