The dorks at The Grading The Week offices have few commandments, but we’re kind of worried that the Broncos just broke Rule No. 8:
If thou winneth a majority — or all — of thy championships in a particular uniform, thou must not change or mothball that uniform, lest thou land on the wrong side of karma.
Why hello there, Damani Leech!
Team GTW doesn’t fear change but we’re also suckers for tradition. We’ve also been OK with the X-Men ’97 — er, Broncos ’97 threads, especially as those were the ones that this franchise wore during its only three Super Bowl wins. John Elway helicoptering in the curvy stripes is the stuff of legend, and Peyton Manning adding two Super Bowl trips to the lore only made it more beloved. And, dare we say it, iconic.
If you’re messing around with karma, you better get it right.
And to the sartorial eyes of the GTW crew, the Broncos largely did.
Look, a makeover was inevitable. New ownership. New menu. New paint job. New grass. New practice facility. New coach. New attempt at a franchise QB (Russell Wilson). New failed attempt at a franchise QB (also Russ). New young, cheaper attempt at a franchise QB (Bo Nix). New jerseys to sell!
Here, Broncos ’97 represented Titletown, the standard for the rest of the pro teams in the Mile High City to follow. To the rest of the NFL world, though, they represented a decade-old dynasty that hasn’t awakened from its post-Super Bowl hangover. The A.P. — as in, After Peyton — Broncos are the worst defending champions in modern NFL history, and the emergence of a certain Patrick Mahomes has only exacerbated the damage a once-proud franchise has done to itself.
So now we wipe the slate clean, hoping that Broncos ’24 does for the team going forward what Terrell Davis in that swirly, cutting-edge Broncos ’97 attire did for the franchise 27 years ago.
Namely, put Denver back on the NFL map again.
We polled the yokels on Team GTW on the new look, and these were their takeaways, from least favorite to most favorite:
Summit White jersey base — C+
Let’s start with our only universal thumbs-down: The numerical font. It’s goofy. It’s intentionally and unnecessarily “futuristic.” It looks like change for change’s sake, which is never a reason to change anything. The ’97 font was fine and distinctly Denver. White is a hard look to swing, but the promotional image of Tim Patrick with the “Summit” jersey, blue helmet and orange pants looked as if he just transferred to Boise State. White on white or white on blue might be the way to go here. Or, even better, go crazy, go completely monochromatic — white helmets, white jerseys, white pants. No way Zach Wilson can miss Marvin Mims Jr. streaking down the sideline with that look. Maybe. Probably.
Helmets — B
Most folks seem to hate the tiny triangles. Minority opinion: We think it’s a step up. Although the “5280” is more kitsch than cool at this point.
Sunset Orange jersey base — B
Fine. It pops. Although ixnay on the blue helmet + all-orange combo, please. It could’ve been the Broncos’ choice of model, and we love Quinn Meinerz up in the GTW offices, but No. 77 in neck-to-ankle orange during the Broncos’ campaign blitz made the guy look like a giant creamsicle.
Midnight Navy jersey base — B+
The dark blue alternate needs more playing time. The white helmet + all-blue look works. The white helmet + blue top + white pants combo rocks.
1977 Throwbacks — A
Winnah! Clean. Bright. Classic. Straight fire. Should have been the default home look. But we’ll take it whenever we can get it.