How Washington Plans to Bridge 90 Years of History

Commanders Set to Unveil New Alternate Uniforms

The Washington Commanders are preparing to make their biggest uniform announcement since the 2022 rebrand. New alternate uniforms will be revealed on July 9, 2025. Here's what the rumours suggest and why it matters.

What the Rumours Say

Multiple reports confirm the Commanders will be the first NFL team to unveil new alternate helmets and jerseys this summer. The key details emerging include:

Design Direction: Radio host Kevin Sheehan, known for reliable team intel, reports the uniforms will resemble the old Redskins-era look but without the Native American imagery that was the team's identity from 1932-2020. This suggests a return to the classic burgundy and gold aesthetic that defined the franchise for decades.

Logo Elements: Early teasers show the current Commanders' "W" logo remains on the helmet, but with potential inspiration from historical designs like the spear helmet logo (1965) or Circle-R logo (1970).

Not a Throwback: Reports suggest this won't be a direct replica but rather a modern design inspired by the franchise's heritage, blending past and future rather than simply copying old uniforms.

Why This Matters

This uniform reveal represents far more than a simple design change. It's about brand reconciliation.

The 2020 name change and 2022 rebrand created a disconnect between the franchise's 90-year history and its current identity. Many fans felt the new branding tried to erase the past, abandoning the visual elements that made Washington football iconic.

More importantly, a significant portion of the fanbase remains angry about losing the Redskins name and logo. These uniforms represent a potential compromise; an olive branch to upset fans who want their old identity back.

While the Redskins name appears gone forever, bringing back visual elements from that era could help placate fans without reopening the name controversy. It's a way to acknowledge the past without fully retreating from the rebrand.

Owner Josh Harris has explicitly stated: "You're going to see us head back towards honouring our past and bringing it together with our future." This uniform announcement appears to be the first concrete step in that direction.

What's Likely to Happen

Based on recent NFL trends, expect this to be a testing ground for bigger changes:

2025: The new design debuts as an alternate uniform, worn up to four times during the season under the NFL's updated policy.

2026: If well-received, the alternate could become part of a complete uniform redesign, similar to how the New York Jets transitioned their throwback alternates to permanent status.

The timing makes sense strategically. With training camp approaching and the team playing multiple primetime games, plus an international match in Madrid, Washington wants to make a visual statement alongside their on-field ambitions.

Bottom Line: This isn't just about uniforms, it's about the Commanders finally acknowledging that their history didn't begin in 2020. The burgundy and gold legacy matters, and these uniforms represent the franchise's attempt to bridge 90 years of tradition with its modern identity.

The reveal on July 9 will show whether they've struck the right balance.