The NFL officially announced last week that the restrictions regarding alternate helmets would be lifted beginning the 2022-2023 season. Upon hearing this news, the NFL’s fanbase released a collective, “IT’S ABOUT TIME.” Chicago Bears fans, however, immediately began thinking. What changes could the Bears make to their uniforms?
With the popularity of alternate jerseys running amuck in the NBA, becoming a norm in the NHL, and gaining traction in the MLB, it was only a matter of time before the NFL embraced the ability to create new and unique ways to market their franchises. Unfortunately, the only thing standing in the NFL’s way in creating new aesthetic uniforms was an outdated and rather head-scratching uniform regulation regarding helmets. In 2018, the league rule allowed more than one uniform option per club. This rule, however, limited the clubs to no more than one helmet option.
This created monstrosities such as the awful 2017 Los Angeles Ram uniforms. However, the club designed and implemented new jerseys. The Rams were stuck with the helmets designed for Los Angeles to complement jerseys designed for St. Louis.
How could the Bears use this new rule?
Let me begin by saying this; the Bears neither need nor should change their standard uniforms. The Chicago Bears uniforms have stayed relatively consistent since the 1950s, it’s a classic, beautiful design that needs no altering. However, a new alternate wouldn’t hurt.
The Bears have had their fair share of alternates in the past decade, with the eye-catching 100th-anniversary fit, return of the orange jerseys, and my personal favorite, the thick orange lettering of the 1940’s monsters of the midway throwback.
Though these uniforms were exciting additions to the Bears classic look, the only uniform that has substantially changed the Bears helmet design is the 100th-anniversary fit, or the occasional white “C” logo as a call back to the 1960s.
A logo used by the Chicago Bears from 1946-1973
As a fan and a person who has a passion for design, the Bears need to take this new regulation and run with it. Imagine a white helmet with the orange jerseys or a throwback with the logo that carried the Bears from 1946 to 1973. I’ll admit it, I’m obsessed with this logo. I’m not the only one either. This writer from USA Today considered it the greatest logo in NFL history.Â
With the possibility of having two helmet designs, the Bears can create a “City” edition, like Nike does with the NBA’s alternate uniforms. Although I’m not a great fan of the City designs, and as a charter franchise of the NFL, the Bears have added more to the city than the city has added to the Bears.
What do you think? What alternate would you like to see?