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Ranking Bills' Nickel City Look Among NFL's Grey Uniforms

For better or worse, the Buffalo Bills are rolling out a new alternate uniform combo this season. And it's safe to say it's one of the more unique looks in NFL history.
Khari Demos|
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts after a missed field goal by Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts after a missed field goal by Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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For better or worse, the Buffalo Bills are rolling out a new alternate uniform combo this season. And it's safe to say it's one of the more unique looks in NFL history.

Grey has often been a complimentary color for teams over the years, from the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants to the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders.

But what about the teams that have gone with the grey look? How do the Bills' new digs live up to those previous jerseys?

Here's where they stack and why Buffalo going with this "Nickel City" look is one that's causing such a stir.

1) Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch
Former Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Seahawks top this list because they killed this look twice. As part of a 2012 Nike rebrand, Seattle debuted its wolf grey alternate, ironically, against the Bills on December 16.

The all-grey look was one of the cleanest alternates in the NFL. Not only did it align with one of Nike's best rebrands of the 2010s, but it was also a nice way to highlight one of the team's secondary colors that was already a part of its color scheme.

The 'Hawks would get another all-grey set last season, too, as Nike rolled out its "rivalry series" unis. This updated version of the grey was not too far removed from the original look, just adding feathers to the shoulder area, which matched the iridescent pattern on the numbers as well.

Two great grey looks, well done, Seattle. And, to add to it, the Seahawks won their two Super Bowls in seasons they wore these unis. Not too shabby.

2) Detroit Lions

Jared Goff
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff scrambles during a play against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Worn from 2017 to 2023, the Lions brought out a grey look that was accentuated by a blue helmet and the team's throwback logo from the 1950s. This look is most comparable to the Buffalo "Nickel City" look, but has a couple of things separating it.

First off, grey is Detroit's secondary color. So, the look is more authentic to the Lions than the "Nickel City" unis are to the Bills. Also, it's always cool to see a modern take on a throwback with the incorporation of the logo from the Bobby Layne era.

Detroit also became an NFL darling in these sets, with the Dan Campbell era beginning in 2021. So, that gives this look a little more oomph, rather than just the aesthetics being pleasing.

3) Buffalo Bills

Keon Coleman
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) runs after making a catch against the New York Jets in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

What may be the most disappointing note about Buffalo going with this look is it passed up the opportunity to fully incorporate the red helmet set that was brought out for the finale at the old Highmark Stadium last season.

But keeping it strictly about the "Nickel City" look, it's a bit underwhelming on several fronts. Again, it was always going to disappointing if the red helmets were not fully reinstated. But the blue Charging Buffalo look is a little too immersive.

Unlike the Vikings' horns on their helmets or the Eagles' wings on their helmets, this new look is a lot less natural.

Now, the unis themselves, are not bad. It's a simple approach for a look that is, of course, inspired by one of the City of Buffalo's nicknames. And although very uplifting to honor the city this way, the simplicity of the set adds to it coming up short.

In the NBA, the Timberwolves have done a Prince-inspired City Edition jersey. In the MLB, the Padres have donned a jersey celebrating San Diego's Hispanic ties and Día de los Muertos.

But those looks really captured their cities. It's safe to say Bills fans are not necessarily feeling the same way at the moment.

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Khari Demos
KHARI DEMOS

Khari Demos is an award-winning sports media creator and is a contributor for Bills On SI. He has written sports betting article covering the NFL for The Athletic and has written pieces about the NBA, MLB, college football and basketball, and more, throughout his career.