Color rush & black helmets for Sunday ⚫️@EAMaddenNFL ➡️ https://t.co/4YyqGGQf5p pic.twitter.com/IACv9FFNgi
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 24, 2023
They’re back: the New Orleans Saints are wearing the alternate black helmets they debuted last season in Week 12’s road game with the Atlanta Falcons, pairing them with mismatched “Color Rush” jerseys, the team announced Friday.
It isn’t a good look. The white-and-gold uniforms clash with the predominately black helmets, which feature design elements that don’t carry over to the jerseys and pants — like a field of small fleur-de-lis running down the center of the helmet replacing the usual stripe.
But the Saints are determined to make them happen anyway. The NFL allowed teams to wear alternate helmets last season to accommodate unique uniform choices, but the Saints didn’t think it through far enough, simply pairing new helmets with an established alternate jersey. It’s a shame. The helmets would look much better paired with black throwback uniforms or a new all-black kit altogether. Instead, they’ve spoiled what was one of the cleanest looks in the NFL.
Here’s how the Saints’ winning percentage in this combination stacks up to the other uniforms in their wardrobe, if you’re curious (not including the controversial gold jerseys used in a loss back in 2003):
"Black and Gold" throwbacks
Record: .750 (3-1)
White jerseys, white pants
Record: .706 (12-5)
Black jerseys, gold pants
Record: .600 (24-16)
White jerseys, black pants
Record: .597 (43-29)
White jerseys, gold pants
Record: .597 (37-25)
Black jerseys, black pants
Record: .584 (52-37)
"Color Rush" alternates
Record: .563 (9-7)
Black jerseys, white pants
Record: .000 (0-1)