The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most recognizable teams in the NFL thanks to their unique tiger-striped helmets and uniforms. As the 2023 season approaches, Bengals fans are excited to see what color combinations their team will be wearing on the field this year.
Bengals Primary Uniform Colors
The Bengals’ official team colors are black, orange and white. This color scheme was chosen when the franchise was founded in 1967 to pay homage to the city’s two NFL teams that existed in the 1930s and 1940s – the Cincinnati Celts and the Cincinnati Tigers.
Here are the primary uniform colors the Bengals wear:
- Black – The black jerseys and pants are a key part of the Bengals’ identity. They provide a classic, intimidating look.
- Orange – Vibrant orange is used as an accent color on the Bengals’ white or black jerseys. It helps the stripes stand out.
- White – Crisp white jerseys offset the black tiger stripes and orange accents nicely.
Bengals Helmet
The most iconic piece of any Bengals uniform is certainly the helmet. Cincinnati has one of the most unique helmet designs in pro sports with its tiger-striped pattern.
The Bengals helmet consists of black and orange tiger stripes over a white background. No other major changes have been made to the helmet design since it was first introduced in the 1960s.
Uniform Combinations
Taking the Bengals’ standard uniform pieces – helmets, jerseys, and pants – there are several different combinations the team can wear each week. Here are the most common uniform combos seen:
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
|---|---|---|
| Black and orange stripes over white | White | White |
| Black and orange stripes over white | Black | White |
| Black and orange stripes over white | White | Black |
| Black and orange stripes over white | Black | Black |
| Black and orange stripes over white | Orange | White |
As you can see, the classic tiger-striped helmet remains constant while the jerseys and pants offer different combinations. The black jerseys and white pants are arguably the fan favorite uniform.
Color Rush Uniforms
In recent years, the Bengals have also shown off some more unique all-orange “Color Rush” alternate uniforms. These feature bright orange jerseys and pants – even orange socks and shoes!
The flashy monochromatic orange look is a big change from their normal uniforms. So far, the Color Rush alternates have been mostly worn for Thursday Night Football games.
2022 Season Uniforms
After advancing to the Super Bowl last season, there is extra excitement around the 2023 Bengals. What will their uniforms look like this year?
Based on announcements from the team, it seems the Bengals will stick with their classic uniforms for 2023. Fans can expect to see the same helmet-jersey-pant combinations as years past.
The NFL allows teams to wear alternate helmets now, but the Bengals have not unveiled any redesigns yet. Don’t expect their iconic tiger-striped helmet to change significantly if at all.
Key Uniform Dates
While the Bengals’ full game-by-game uniform schedule has not been released yet, some key dates have been revealed:
- September 15 – The Bengals will debut their new white Color Rush uniform for Thursday Night Football vs. the Miami Dolphins.
- October 31 – For a Halloween Monday Night Football matchup with the Browns, Cincinnati will wear their black jerseys and orange pants.
- December – The Bengals are expected to wear their orange alternate jerseys for a December game TBD.
The Future of Bengals Uniforms
It’s unlikely the Bengals make any major uniform changes in the next few years. Their classic look is one of the best in pro sports.
However, the NFL is very marketing-focused when it comes to uniforms and alternate options. Here are some possible Bengals uniform changes we could see down the road:
- All-white Color Rush uniform
- Helmet decal to commemorate Super Bowl appearance
- Revamped black alternate jersey with new stripes/logos
- Throwback uniforms to commemorate early Bengals teams
While new uniform combinations are fun for fans and players, the essence of the Bengals look will always be the black and orange stripes. That iconic helmet isn’t going anywhere.
Conclusion
Bengals fans can look forward to seeing their favorite players back in the classic black, orange and white uniforms in 2023. The team has found the perfect balance of maintaining their traditional look while also introducing new Color Rush alternate combos occasionally.
With stars like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase leading the way, the Bengals should continue to be one of the most exciting and best-dressed teams for years to come!
