The NFL adopted the one-helmet rule back in 2013 as a means for player safety. The premise behind the rule was players would only use one helmet for both practice and the games.
This new rule eliminated several of the best throwback helmets for teams. So, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would wear the creamsicle jerseys, they couldn’t wear the matching helmet.
On Thursday, that all changed as the NFL scrapped the one-helmet rule, opening up all sorts of possibilities with throwback uniform and helmet combinations.
NFL approved alternate helmets today for teams wearing throwback uniforms starting in 2022, per league sources. This opens the door to the defending world-champion Bucs wearing the old white helmets with the orange swashbuckling Buccaneer as early as 2022.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 24, 2021
Teams are now allowed to have a second helmet of another color, but it must be of the same make, model and size. Players will be fitted for the alternate helmets in training camp.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t begin until 2022.
What does this mean for the Washington Football Team? Washington will obviously be somewhat limited due to the previous name and logo, but they can wear the alternate jerseys they wore against Cincinnati in 2020. It will be interesting to see what the team will choose for an alternate helmet.
Since the rule doesn’t impact teams in 2021, Washington could have a new nickname and logo just in time for the 2022 season.