The 3-5 Washington Commanders desperately need a home win against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday to keep a once-promising season from spiraling out of control. They’ll be rocking a new look as the struggling squad looks for a spark.
Washington will wear its “Super Bowl era” throwback uniforms for the first time. The white jerseys and burgundy pants are a reminder of the team’s golden years of the 1980s and ‘90s. Gold and white stripes adorn the pants, though there will still be no American Indian imagery on the helmets.
Fans say the look radiates old-school cool, especially when compared to the much-maligned jerseys introduced by former owner Dan Snyder when the team rebranded in 2022.
Players in the locker room parroted Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders’ old philosophy when asked about the throwbacks: If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good.
“They look awesome. I’m excited to play in these unis,” guard Sam Cosmi said. “Just swagger. It makes you feel good about yourself and play good. It’s cool.”
Cosmi, like most of the Commanders, never donned the old uniforms. By the time he arrived in 2021, the franchise had already adopted its placeholder “Washington Football Team” identity and removed the trademark stripes from the burgundy and gold helmets.
Doug Williams remembers the glory days, though. Now a senior adviser to General Manager Adam Peters, he was named Super Bowl MVP in 1988 as Washington defeated the Denver Broncos for its second of three Lombardi Trophies.
“You think about nostalgia. You think about history. Those uniforms bring back history, what this organization stands for,” Williams told The Washington Times. “To be able to bring [the uniform] back, I think it’s great.”
Punter Tress Way, the longest-tenured Commander, is one of a few active players who played in the old uniforms. Returning to the classic look is “an honor,” he said.
“Anytime you tie into the legacy — how decorated the franchise is with the Super Bowls — it’s just special to be a part of that,” he said. “Whenever you’re wearing that, that’s definitely special.”
The active Commanders are all too young to remember the team’s championship glory, but they still grew up with that look. Linebacker Bobby Wagner and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, a D.C. native, immediately thought of former Pro Bowler Sean Taylor.
The late Taylor is a favorite among current Commanders.
“I never thought that I’d be able to wear that helmet,” Wagner said. “I’ll wear it with pride.”
The best way to imitate Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs’ old teams would be to win Sunday night, when former star wide receiver Art Monk’s No. 81will be officially retired. But coach Dan Quinn’s Commanders will have their hands full with a 5-2 Seahawks team that also will be sporting throwback uniforms.
Seattle has hit the ground running this season with new quarterback Sam Darnold and second-year coach Mike Macdonald. Seattle is 3-0 in away games and enjoyed a bye week before their trip to the East Coast.
The high-powered Seahawks attack has caused nightmares for opposing defenses. Darnold, after a career-resurrecting season with the Minnesota Vikings, has played like a Pro Bowler. The former first-round pick ranks near the top of the league in passer rating, tossing 12 touchdowns with four interceptions.
His favorite target, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, has helped the Seattle offense find a new gear. The Ohio State product leads the NFL with 819 yards, hauling in 50 catches with four touchdowns.
“Every down, somebody’s going to have a hard down,” Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said of the challenge presented by Smith-Njigba. “We try to minimize those because he’s been so explosive and the ball has gone to him so, so much.”
Washington will be without their own star pass-catcher, All-Pro Terry McLaurin. The fellow former Buckeye was ruled out early in the week after re-aggravating a quad injury during Monday’s 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to return from a hamstring injury that prevented him from taking the field against the Chiefs.
Several players clarified that an impressive throwback uniform doesn’t inherently make them perform better.
“I don’t know if it affects the actual play, but I think they’re awesome,” receiver Luke McCaffrey said. “They’re such a cool tribute to the past, to the legends who’ve gone through these walls.”
But every bit counts as the Commanders try to snap a three-game losing skid.
“As a player, you’re in front of your home crowd. You’ve got a special day for Art Monk,” Williams said. “Whatever extra they have in their bodies, you’re going to get it on Sunday.”