The Chicago Bears are switching things up and bringing back their orange jerseys for their alternate uniforms in 2018.
The Chicago Bears have announced that in 2018, they will wear orange jerseys as part of their alternate uniform. The Bears last wore orange jerseys in 2011, but in years past, have decided to wear their “Monsters of the Midway” alternates. Since the NFL only allows one alternate uniform for each team, it appears the retro look from the 1940s will take a back seat to the orange jerseys.
The campaign to wear the orange jersey again began when Akiem Hicks tweeted his desire to play in them. Shortly thereafter, one Twitter user started a petition on Change.org to bring the jerseys back. On Wednesday at the annual owner’s meetings, George McCaskey confirmed the news.
The color of a jersey isn’t going to help the team win games, but it’s a good move by the Bears. The orange jerseys are definitely colorful (there’s talk that the Bears could wear ALL orange during an NFL Color Rush game) and seem to be a fan favorite. It’s also a great marketing strategy by the Bears, as now fans have the option to buy orange jerseys of their favorite players.
The Bears are only allowed to wear the alternate uniform twice per season. In year’s past, the team has usually decided to wear the orange jerseys in the weeks leading up to Halloween and/or Thanksgiving.
According to the Chicago Bears website, George McCaskey is trying to get the league to approve alternating their alternate uniforms every year—one year wearing orange jerseys and the following year wearing the “Monsters of the Midway” jerseys.
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Whatever happens, this move is sure to be pleasing overall. There has been both fan and player support behind bringing back the orange uniforms, and now it’s coming to fruition.