New NFL Uniforms 2020: Superlative awards for new looks

Superlative awards for the new NFL uniforms introduced for the 2020 season.

Six NFL teams will be sporting new NFL uniforms when football returns — and a seventh tweaked their current look. The Indianapolis Colts made some minor changes to their uniform, and while they were improvements, it wasn’t enough to be considered a totally new uniform.

Instead, the new uniforms from the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, Falcons, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will be put to the test. What does that mean?

Today, we’re handing out superlative awards for the new NFL uniforms. Everything from “best new helmet” to “worst detail” is up for grabs. However, let’s start with the basics.

Best Uniform Set: Los Angeles Chargers

Without a doubt, the Chargers take the cake for the best new uniform. It helps that they may have the best colors out of the six teams. Powder blue/yellow is arguably better than brown/orange and red/pewter.

The jury’s still out on how these uniforms will look on the field as opposed to in a 3D drawing but the unique style gives me reason to believe in their success. It’s clear that the Browns and Buccaneers made a massive upgrade from their previous look. Overall, though, they’re still just okay.

Honorable Mention: Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best Individual Uniform: Chargers Blue Jersey, Yellow Pants

The Chargers unveiled six new uniform combos, and all six appear to be winners. The alternates look cool, but the classic powder blue/yellow look will always reign supreme. The addition of yellow pants complements the yellow facemask and lightning bolts nicely.

Honorable Mention: Chargers Blue/White, Chargers Dark Alternate

Best Detail: Browns Shoulder Stripes

Like I’ve said in the other pieces of this five-part series, it’s not easy to make brown and orange work. Adding a five-stripe design on their jerseys certainly enhances the look.

It gets bonus points for representing the team’s past, while also standing out in a modern way. As I said earlier, the Colts also made tweaks that warrant some applause.

Honorable Mention: Falcons Matte Helmet Color, Colts Font Change

Best New Helmet: Atlanta Falcons

This is one of the few good things about Atlanta’s new threads. The change from a normal black background to a matte one was a smart move by the organization. Matte just looks so much cooler, plain and simple. I wasn’t as high on any other new helmets to give them consideration here.

Honorable Mention: None

Worst Uniform Set: Los Angeles Rams

Instead of spending another 50 words on why the Rams botched their rebrand, see what I said on Wednesday in Part 3 of this NFL uniforms series about their confusing new threads:

"Where to begin? The strange “bone-colored” away look, the unnecessary name tags (we know you’re the Rams), that weird tag sticking out of the back of the jersey. The list goes on. I had such high hopes for this rebrand, then they went and had kids design bad soccer uniforms."

So, yeah — not quite in favor of what the Rams did here.

Honorable Mention: Atlanta Falcons

Worst Individual Uniform: Rams ‘Bone’ Uniforms

Why did the Rams use a color that’s not associated with their brand? Because it resembles a ram horn and the beaches of Los Angeles. Seriously, that’s the reasoning behind it. If that isn’t strange enough, then consider that they still left some white in the pants. For the Rams’ sake, let’s hope these look better in a game than on your phone.

Honorable Mention: Falcons Gradient Uniform

Worst Detail: Rams Nametags

Maybe this should have just been a separate article scolding the Rams. (Wait, I already did that.) Anyway, let’s address those name tags on the team’s jerseys. First, we know who you are, you don’t need to remind us. Second, they just look awkward. Third, if they added these in hopes of a jersey advertisement soon, then why not wait until that idea actually passed? They may as well have read “D” for the letter grade I’ll give them tomorrow.

Honorable Mention: Rams Reflective Numbering, Patriots Stripes on White Jerseys

This is part four of a five-part series. Part one examined uniform trends in the Super Bowl, part two looked at each team’s best look in 2019 and part three suggested one change for every team’s uniforms. Stay tuned for complete grades on Friday.