The NFL is shaking up tradition in 2025 and doing it in a way fans will definitely notice.
On Friday, the league announced plans for a brand-new “Rivalries” uniform set, bringing fresh designs to the field in partnership with Nike. Executive vice president and chief revenue officer Renie Anderson broke the news, promising a new era of fan connection through some of the sport’s most heated matchups.
The move feels like a bold swing at keeping pace with other leagues like the NBA and MLB, where “City Edition” and “City Connect” uniforms have stirred plenty of buzz.
According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the NFL aims for a similar cultural moment with its take on rivalry-focused gear. Whether the idea will land with fans remains an open question.
New Look For Old Grudges
The first wave of Rivalries uniforms will roll out in the 2025 season, featuring eight AFC East and NFC West teams. The rest of the league will follow, with all 32 teams expected to have their versions by the end of the 2028 season.
Anderson explained the project’s reasoning clearly: “We decided to team up with Nike to allow fans and players to connect like never before with the Rivalries program because nothing brings communities together quite like a good rivalry.”
The timing makes sense. The NFL has seen how younger fans, in particular, flock to special edition jerseys and merchandise. Anderson emphasized that the league wanted to give fans something new to celebrate, saying, “We know our fans (especially our younger fans) and players get excited when their clubs wear unique and or special uniforms.”
However, early reactions have been anything but warm. Fans flooded social media with criticism almost immediately.
One user sarcastically remarked, “Yes, don’t bother wearing your iconic looks against your biggest rivals. Makes sense.”
Another added, “How about a thing where the action on the field is interesting and exciting and that’s enough?” A third called the designs “HORRENDOUS” and blamed commissioner Roger Goodell in a colorful rant.
At this point, the NFL has yet to reveal what the Rivalries uniforms will actually look like. The league promised to unveil them in the coming weeks, though the early feedback suggests they might face a tough crowd. Whether the new designs eventually win fans over or simply add fuel to the fire remains to be seen.
