Marc Bertrand: Top 11 NFL uniforms from the '90s that should make a comeback

As more teams around the NFL begin to incorporate throwback jerseys and helmets into the rotation based on new uniform regulations from 2022, our own Marc Bertrand gives his take on which 1990’s era uniforms should make a comeback. Find out which teams Beetle thinks should run it back, and which uniform from the 90’s he thinks is the best one!

1 OCT 1995: CINCINNATI BENGALS RUNNING BACK JEFF COTHRAN CARRIES THE FOOTBALL AS MIAMI DOLPHINS DEFENDERS CHRIS SINGLETON #55 AND TROY VINCENT #23# ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE TACKLE DURING THE BENGALS 26-23 LOSS AT RIVERFRONT STADIUM IN CINCINNATI, OHIO. Mandat

This kit couldn’t crack the top 10 because it just isn’t all that different from what the Bengals currently wear. However, the home black-on-white ensemble with orange socks should go down as the best uniform the team ever had.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Anthony Munoz

SAN DIEGO Ð DECEMBER 16: Jeff Cross #91 of the Miami Dolphins stares down San Diego Chargers offense during the NFL game on December 16, 1991 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Dolphins 38-30. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

It is hard to keep track of how many times the ‘fins have tinkered with their teal. Up until 1996, Miami had their best jerseys of all time.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Dan Marino

Los Angeles Rams running back Jerome Bettis is surrounded by the Detroit Lions defense. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT

The team has historically been wretched. At least the 90s features sweet unis and one of the best players in football history.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Barry Sanders

6 Sep 1998: Cornerback Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Erik Perel /Allsport

The black jersey & black helmet combination became iconic on the way to Superbowl XXXIII. Right about now you should be thinking about Jamal Anderson doing The Dirty Bird or running to the end zone in Madden ‘99.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Deion Sanders

John Elway #7, Quarterback for the Denver Broncos calls the play on the line of scrimmage during the American Football Conference West game against the San Diego Chargers on 19 November 1995 at the Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado,United States. The Chargers won the game 27 – 30. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Allsport/Getty Images)

The Broncos were one of many teams to overhaul their entire scheme in the 90s. They definitely downgraded, but undoubtedly did the best job of switching to something with staying power. Denver’s retro logo and jersey are so great it would be great to have them back.

Best 1990s player to wear it: John Elway

23 Nov 1997: Wide receiver Joey Galloway #84 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Seahawks 19-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington.

With good reason, Seahawks fans have been clamoring for their favorite team’s 90s-era jerseys to make a return. In 2023, the team will turn those wishes into reality. Seattle has had far more success on the field since making a major change in 2002, but there is no denying how cool their original look was.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Cortez Kennedy

SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 19, 1992 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 21-14. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Although the Buccaneers’ creamsicle jerseys are not most closely associated with the 90s, the design did not die until 1997. The good news is this beauty has been worn as a throwback on numerous occasions.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Derrick Brooks

Doug Riesenberg #72,Tackle for the New York Giants gets set with his offensive line during the National Football Conference East game against the Phoenix Cardinals on 10th November 1991 at the Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona, United States. The Giants won the game 21 – 14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images)

The Giants scheme change of 2000 might be one of the most half-hearted efforts in league history. It took until 2022 for the team to reintroduce what is their best uniform ever. The best Giant teams and players wore this jersey and helmet combo.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Lawrence Taylor

4 DEC 1994: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES QUARTERBACK RANDALL CUNNINGHAM DROPS BACK TO PASS DURING THE EAGLES 31-19 LOSS TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS AT VETERANS STADIUM IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/ALLSPORT

The Eagles went with a kelly green scheme beginning in 1985, which coincided with rookie Randall Cunningham’s arrival in Philly. A little more than a decade later, both the uniform and quarterback were gone. The Eagles have yet to wear anything better.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Reggie White

30 OCT 1994: BILLS QUARTER BACK JIM KELLY IN ACTION DURING THE SECOND QUATER OF THE CHIEFS BILLS GAME AT RICH STADIUM IN ORCHARD PARK, NY. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/ALLSPORT

Did the Buffalo Bills lose four straight superbowls in the 1990s? Yes. Did they do it while wearing a great uniform? Also, yes. It is impossible to see these uniforms and not think about Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed. The best part of their uniform in the era was the red helmet. For whatever reason, the bison looked so much larger on those caps.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Bruce Smith

20 Sep 1998: Quarterback Drew Bledsoe #11 of the New England Patriots looking to throw the ball during the game against the Tennessee Oilers at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Oilers 27-16.

During the first thirty-plus years of the Patriots’ existence, the team’s uniform may have been the only constant. In 1993, with a new head coach and top-of-the-draft quarterback, the Pats had their first major uniform overhaul. Two years later, after multiple tweaks to the design, New England’s football team had the jersey that encapsulated the 1990s better than any other in the NFL.

Then-team VP Jonathan Kraft said in the summer of 1995, “The motivation behind it was that we’ve already gone through a logo change, so we didn’t want to have that done over. We didn’t think that would be fair to the fans. Robert [Kraft] was very involved in the new design.”

What a design it was! The royal blue unis had massive logos on the shoulders and weird shaded stripes that had previously been reserved for soccer or rugby. Those features were hard to miss, but the jerseys also had three-dimensional numbers and italicized names. The truth is the NFL has never seen a uniform as bold as this one, and it deserves to be brought back more than any other.

Best 1990s player to wear it: Ty Law

Listen to Zolak & Bertrand from 10-2 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Marc “Beetle” Bertrand, Scott Zolak, and Rob “Hardy” Poole. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @ZoAndBertrand on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the show!

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