New York Jets: Review of Gang Green’s new-look uniforms

Thursday the New York Jets re-branded their look. It’s clean, it’s modern and most importantly it will sell merchandise. EWB has details and analysis.

New York Jets fans, get used to the term “Gotham Green.” That’s their new base color. It resembles the “kelly green” used throughout the ’80s and ’90s, but slightly darker. On the whole its a very nice job. Granted there aren’t many teams with base colors of green and white, so there will be comparisons, but I think the new Jets scheme looks fresh and original.

Helmet

The helmet logo closely resembles the New York Jets recent corporate logo. It removes the white outlined “NY” from the equation. In short, the logo looks forward but honors the past. Personally, I would have liked them to use the top line with airline tail fin.

Home

Colored home jerseys are supposed to be a teams statement look. The NYJ home jerseys accomplish that in spades. Combining “Gotham Green” jerseys combined with white pants and Matching green stripe down the outside is sleek. The combination comes with matching green socks. From top to bottom the home uniforms look clean and are not overwhelming.

Road

I’m not as happy with the road combination. “Spotlight White” jerseys and green pants work nicely. The Jets will wear the same green socks as the home ensemble. That’s a bad look and it took me some time to put my finger on it. Paul Lukas wrote on SI.com that the pants/socks combination gives a “leotard effect.” I couldn’t agree more.

Jerseys and pants can be mix-matched, but the majority of teams go with a contrast look. Of everything the Jets did to re-imagine the brand, green pants with green socks is the biggest faux pas.

Alternates

Finally, the New York Jets released a sweet alternate uniform, dubbed “Stealth Black.” I hate the Philadelphia Eagles but even I had to admit their black alternates looked good. Gang Green one-upped Philly. Black jerseys with black pants and white socks is on point. Combined with white numerals and green trim puts them over the top. According to the Jets, their alts will be worn a maximum of three times a season.

Random Thoughts

• The jersey numbers are big and easy to read.
• Putting “New York” over the front numbers on all three of the jerseys is a nice touch.
• Not a fan of the horizontal stripe running around the side of the shoulder to the front.
• This is one of the best concepts Nike has come up with since taking over as the NFL’s uniform supplier in 2012.

As I said earlier, there will be comparisons to other teams with similar color schemes. What Nike and the Jets did was create something that didn’t reinvent the wheel but rather put an ultra modern touch on a classic look.