While most of the attention these days is focused on baseball and the NCAA Tourney, the Tennessee Titans have announced a fairly huge set of changes to their uniform lineup for 2025, proving we can’t keep NFL uni news down.
So what are the two changes? You probably figured the first one out from the splash photo. Yes, in a very surprising move, the Titans will no longer wear their glorious Oilers throwbacks going forward.
After just two seasons of use (and a total of three games worn) the throwbacks are no more. They were certainly controversial (and wearing them twice against Houston — the city the then-Oilers abandoned — felt like a total dick move), but the team is apparently not ditching them for that reason. No, the team wants to embrace “Titan blue” (the color of their light blue jerseys) more.
In addition to announcing the Titans would no longer wear the Luv Ya Blue, the team is switching from navy to light blue as the primary home jersey this fall.
And what prompted this decision?
“We’re talking to fans and we’re listening, and there’s a clear appetite to have the Titans, their team, represented on the field in this noticeable color that has been with this team from 1960 in Houston, into Memphis, at Vanderbilt and as we’ve played at Nissan Stadium,” Titans President and CEO Burke Nihill said.
“We’re going to emphasize that this year and change to Titans blue as the primary color. As we sit here today, the plan is to wear Titans blue at every one of our home games this year.
“You see it, and you know the team that is being represented – it’s the Titans.”
Designating a former alternate jersey as the primary certainly isn’t new (you may recall when the Broncos changed from navy to orange back before the 2012 season). So in the overall scheme of things, this isn’t like the Titans are announcing new uniforms (which they should have done two years ago), but teams don’t often designate alternates to primaries all that often either.
The Titans changed to their current uniform style in 2018, meaning they have already worn them for seven seasons (and already passed the five-year waiting period for uniform changes). In both 2019 and 2020, the Titans wore their light blue tops with light blue pants and navy blue socks. It was actually not a bad look (color-wise).
After 2020, the team paired the jerseys only with either white pants or navy pants. Unfortunately, when the team has worn navy pants, they’ve always worn navy socks, a decidedly less appealing look.
When pairing the light blue jerseys with the white pants — a surprisingly rare occurrence, happening once in 2018, once in 2020 and once in 2024 — the Titans wore navy socks twice (2018 and 2020)…
… and white socks once (2024).
Since the Titans announced they will wear the light blue jerseys for every home game, that means they’ll be worn at least eight and sometimes nine times per season, which could lead to some mix/match uni hi-jinx should the Titans so desire. The Titans uniforms are bad enough as it is; let us hope they’ll keep the yoga pants look to an absolute minimum.
The Titans actually addressed potential combos, but didn’t tip their hand as to what that might entail. “The plan is to be more consistent with uniform combinations this fall, jerseys and pants.”
I’m all for consistency, as long as it’s good consistency. For me, I’d hope the team sticks to white pants and navy socks as often as possible, but I wouldn’t mind the navy/light blue/light blue/navy look seen above. I would hope the team keeps the navy pants in the closet, as the navy/light blue/navy/navy combo may be their worst (I’d actually prefer mono-navy).
I was hoping the first uniform news we’d hear out of Tennessee this year was that they were getting new uniforms for 2025, not that they’re ditching their best look (and one of the best throwback uniforms in the NFL) and making the navy jerseys their new alternate.
I can understand the switch from navy to light blue — but why would the team need to ditch the throwbacks? I get that they may want to distance themselves from their Houston past.
The team made a somewhat big deal out of claiming the throwbacks were to their first two seasons in Tennessee (even though they’d worn the exact same uniforms in Houston), although they wore white at home for those two years, while the blue jerseys only appeared in two road games. So if they’re as “high” on the light blue as they are claiming, dumping the Tennessee Oilers throwbacks doesn’t seem to make much sense.
Of course, the team specifically chose to wear the throwbacks against the Houston team both years they had the throwback — a dick move that only rubs salt into the still open wounds some long time Houstonians have. Had the Titans chosen to wear the Oilers throwbacks against any other team, we’d be praising their decision. But what they did the past two seasons just seems petty. Maybe retiring the Oilers throwbacks is their way of picking up their ball and going home.
Did they have to scrap one of the best looking uniforms in the NFL in the process?
Your thoughts?
I swear the Titans do this like twice every decade. They’re always in an identity crisis of being a Navy Team or a Light Blue Team.
Was thinking the same thing. They switched to only wearing the light blue with the old uniforms and then at some point went back to Navy.
Are the Titans still in the NFL?
Dick move, indeed.
Houston fans had every right to be pissed.
-C.
Or, hear me out, they can accept change like we all do, all the time, and move on.
They should not be allowed to wear the Oilers unis. And that right should be given to the Texans. Titans keep the history, etc. but lose the unis / name rights.
No. Just hard no.
Houston was more than happy to let them
walk.
At least Cleveland fought to keep their identity.
Houston didn’t even try.
Now it’s too late to cry foul.
As a Houstonian I would say we were more than happy to let the ownership walk.
Just one small correction. They’ve worn this look since 2018, meaning this is year 8 of this look for the Titans.
They’re probably gonna get new unis when their new stadium is complete in 2027. If they do, I hope they continue using the sword motif throughout. Why? Because their current look is cool with the big swords on the shoulders. Not many teams can pull that off
Good catch! I originally had 2018 when I drafted the piece, and for some reason changed it to 2019 (I was probably thinking about the wearing of the navy/light blue/light blue/navy, which happened in 2019 and 2020).
now fixed.
Nothing is cool about their uniform. They don’t even pull off what you’re trying to describe. It’s a horrible uniform with 5 colors randomly thrown together.
I mean it’s fine if you’re not a fan of the aesthetics of the uniform, but it’s not “five random colors,” navy/light blue/red/shades of white is a thing that works and has been done well before within and outside of sports.
Really?
I think those swords on the shoulders look awful.
Then again, I like the Falcons uniforms.
I also like the falcons unis and think the swords look bad. I think if they did a more basic 2-tone grey shoulder yoke that tapered slightly but never came even close to a point, it would look just fine, but that it’s so clearly supposed to be a sword is silly, and the execution is poor anyway. Also the weird truncated side panels under the arms is too much with the swords, too. I will say that this is a team that (if they simplified their uni design a bit) could have 3 helmet shells and make them all look good. White shell with light blue or navy unis, light blue shell with navy or white unis, and navy shell with white unis.
The fat, stumpy sleeve “swords” look absolutely awful.
It really doesn’t matter because it is just a horrific uniform design in any color scheme, and they can never look good wearing what they wear. By far the league’s worst. Like, their uniforms are so bad I actually don’t like watching games they play in, and I am a neutral observer when it comes to that team.
The NFL’s least appealing draw, imo.
To quote Groucho Marx: “that’s not a scheme – it’s a conspiracy” ;-)
YMMV
I think the Titans logo would be really cool if it were just the T inside the circle and they did away with the flames. I just think the flames are dumb and don’t add to the log at all.
Thoughts? Anyone agree with me?
The flames are a forward directional action oriented graphic. Like the wings on the The Eagles or horns on the Rams or Vikings, horse on The Broncos. Makes sense they keep that. The long, tiring argument for the sword is for naught. It’s static and can’t be positioned to look good. They’re never gonna change it.
Perhaps with a pair of the crossed swords behind it?
It’s transparent to me why they are switching to “Titan blue” for all home games and it’s why they are using the “embrace” as an excuse. They are mad that the Texans (and Houston as a city) are embracing the “Love Ya Blue” history that justifiably belongs to Houston. So, they are scraping the Oilers throwbacks, and as a result of the increased usage of Light blue in Houston, are moving to make “Titan blue” as their primary as an attempt to reclaim the color. So, since they’re done with the Oilers throwbacks it is time for Adams-Strunk to do the right thing.
That’s how I read it as well. They make themselves look stupid legally enforcing owning a colour which they don’t even wear (and possibly on shaky ground legally), so whatever happens in the future, they will be able to point back to 2025 and say they are a light blue team themselves, so not just trying to cash in on the Oilers. So I read this move as being just another dick move – just not as obvious.
Although as an aside, I did like the Titans in Navy/Navy/Light Blue at home an Navy/White/Light Blue on the road: a unique combo in the league – and having their own identity in Navy, but a nod to their franchise history in the pants.
Not the first time they’ve done this same move. Chris Johnson era team switched to light blue over navy as the home duds. Lasted a couple years (more like a couple of coaches).
Feels like a way to buy a few more years out of this shitty uniform. I live in Nashville and I do know a single fan of their uniforms. Nike has not done well by this team. People here like the Oilers set, and universally want a new uniform. I hope they go with white pants. Light blue over light blue is a terrible look for them. Which almost guarantees they will do that. Colts remain the only team in that div with any sense of tradition. Ugh.
They should just make the Oilers uniform their main permanent uniform, and just change the helmet logo to a new Titans logo.
Also, if they wear the light blue jersey with navy pants, they should wear light blue socks. A navy/light blue/navy/light blue combo would be a good look with this u form.
done. now that was easy.
Time for Houston fans to move on and embrace the Texans and their Texas colors. Time for the Titans to change their uniforms and forget about the Oilers identity, period. It belongs in a museum, along with the Canton Bulldogs, the Providence Steamrollers and the St. Louis Rams. One of the worst sets, not only in the NFL but in all of the North American pro team sports. The colors are OK and should stay: Titan blue, navy, white and a splash of silver and red. The logo is OK as well, even with those Hot Wheels flames: the original Titans from Greek mythology and fire go together quite well as a symbol. But get a new set of uniforms, the sooner the better. So they do not have to yo yo every few years between the two blue hues as their home jersey color.
Maybe the League has given the Oilers jerseys to the Texans, or the Titans have sold/given them to the Texans, abs this announcement is just getting ahead of that news.
Wearing that Oilers uniform was for sure a dick move but as someone who dealt with Bud Adams when he was a Houston business man it was totally on brand for his family.
Wasn’t he the owner all drunk in the owners suite standing up with a terrible suit on flipping off the other team?
You mean this fuckin’ guy?
link
David Tepper is actually an Adams? something about these light blue team owners…..
Watch out Atlanta, Titans are making a strong push to be the worst looking team in the league next year.
I don’t agree that “we’d” be praising them for wearing the throwbacks against any other teams, I’ve seen plenty of people (and personally believe) they shouldn’t wear these throwbacks ever. They’d be getting less flack for it, probably, but it wouldn’t switch a lot of people over to praising them. I am praising them for mothballing the look, and would love for it to be returned to Houston, where it belongs, enough matter what the Texans decide to do with it.
I totally *get* that Houston fans loved the Oilers look, but it still belongs to the owner/franchise, even if the entire family have been dickwads since the move.
What bothers me most, is how the team went to great lengths to explain these were “Tennessee Oilers” throwbacks (which is indeed true, they did wear those unis for their first two seasons before rebranding), and if they love the light blue so much, why jettison the very throwback that bears the color?
Gonna be a looooooonnnnggggg season in Nashville …
It belongs to the franchise if you’re like, a fan of lawyers and corporate history and stuff, but we watch sports with our hearts as much as our eyes and in that regard it “belongs” to Houston, that’s where the people who loved those uniforms and players largely are. And conversely, that’s where opposing fans (such as myself – a Steelers fan that hated the House of Pain Oilers teams) associate the look – I don’t care about some team in Nashville wearing those unis the same way I could about a team in Houston wearing them. I don’t care about them at all in that context.
I do think I missed/forgot the part where they said it’s referencing their Tennessee Oilers history, but you bring up a good point that they never wore the blue jerseys in Tennessee during that time, so it rings fairly hollow.
I wish leagues would start handling team moves (assuming they can’t ban them altogether) like the Browns/Ravens move was handled – fans invest enough blood, sweat, tears and taxpayer dollars into supporting these teams that the IP should default if the owners flee. A rose by any other name, or some such.
This is the problem with feelings when rules and laws are applied. Houston doesn’t own the Oilers brand, the Adams/Strunk family owns it. Not trying to be rude, just realistic. More people need to live in reality rather than their own feelings. Because then confusion happens and people start believing their feelings and opinions SHOULD matter in cases of law and ownership…. they don’t. Sorry, y’all, it’s stinks but be happy you got a new team. Some cities don’t get that.
Their best combo WOULD be light blue jersey, navy pants, and light blue socks. White pants are meh with a jersey that’s already lighter in color, unless they match the helmet. Which they do on the throwback, they look silly with the navy helmet.
GO BACK to the white helmets idiots. Then I’ll start calling you a franchise again.
Since 2018, the Texans and Titans have been the only pair of teams in the NFL that share a helmet color, a primary home jersey color, and a division. I thought the Texans would switch to primarily red last year, and I’m disappointed that they didn’t. In that it’s introducing some contrast, I think this is a positive change from Tennessee.
And as a Texans fan, I agree that wearing the throwbacks against Houston twice was petty. The Titans lost both of those games, as they deserved to.
Agreed. The Texans going to a red helmet full time would’ve been the best move considering there’s already another dark blue and black helmet in the division.
Not basing this on anything, and I don’t know the ins and outs of NFL rules around throwbacks, but I would put money on them unveiling a 1999 throwback.
Was in a certain wholesale store last weekend in Wisconsin. Was wearing a Titans/Oilers no. 7 jersey with a jacket over it.
Man stops, points at me and says ‘Dan Pastorini!’.
Told him that is what I thought. Then revealed back whose nameplate says ‘Willis’.
He was puzzled at first, then realized ‘You mean our (Malik) Willis!’
Such a glorious discounted buy:)
If all ownership could get over themselves and their “claims” to the oilers identity, Houston and Tennessee could play an “oil bowl” every preseason and the winner gets to wear the throwbacks that season. Give ticket and merchandise proceeds to charity and everyone can stop whining, already. Until then, the Titans have a legal right to do whatever they want with the identity, even if that means hiding it in the closet and blocking anyone else from using anything like it.
That kind of individual creativity is forbidden in the No Fun League. There are no special rivalries. All teams are standardized product and there aren’t even any annual derbies between the two NYC or two LA teams in the regular season because it wouldn’t fit the scheduling system.
Light blue socks with navy pants to go with the light blue jersey. Problem solved.
An another Houston guy here, lemme join my voice to the chorus of those saying “Good” to the decision to mothball the Oilers uni. I wouldn’t have loved to see them wear it anywhere, but choosing to do so against Houston – TWICE – was petty, stupid, and basically Titans ownership ASKING for the rage.
And they got what they deserved for doing so. Came in our old colors twice. Beat twice. GTFOH.
With that off my chest, I’ll end by saying I couldn’t care less about if they’re a light blue team or a dark blue team. Titans don’t matter.
The Texans need to put more Columbia blue in their uni in 5 years when changes can be made again, though. And dare Amy to sue them for “color ownership”. That color goes back in Houston so far, it’s the primary color in the damn city flag – and was LONG before the NFL existed.
First off, I do like the switch to light blue for the Titans, it reminds me of the Broncos when they switched from navy blue to orange when Peyton Manning first came to Denver in 2012, it was the right decision. Titans need new uniforms badly, though, I’m surprised they’re not getting new ones this season, maybe they’ll get them next season for sure.
As far as the Oilers throwbacks, I never liked the Titans wearing them, anyways because the uniforms belong to Houston. All throwbacks that belong to another city should stay with that city going forward like the Browns stuff staying in Cleveland. The Oilers throwbacks need to move with the Houston Texans. The NFL really needs to hurry up and settle this and just make the change. I did like JJ Watt’s idea to have the teams battle over which franchise gets to wear them.
I’ve long felt they should have their light blue jerseys as their primary, but they absolutely should not wear them with Navy pants. That look sucked with their old uniforms and isn’t great with their current ones. It looks way too Arena Football.
I hope they are going for a new uniform for the new stadium and one that is closer to the old Oiler look. Weird to make this decision given their helmet is navy. A light blue or white helmet would look better.
They should wear powder blue as their primary jersey. Navy blue is way over used! It should also consider changing the numbers to white. To me, the navy blue numbers makes it look like an alternate uniform. I do agree it’s time for a uniform change! And when they do, they should bring back white as the primary helmet color.
The Titans need new uniforms, but if they consistently wear the powder blue jersey, white pants, and blue socks, that’s a step in the right direction.
Phil, while we’re on the subject, the draft is less than a month away. Usually teams reveal new uniforms ahead of the draft. Have you heard anything? We haven’t really heard anything about teams having new uniforms for 2025 other than the Washington Commanders looking to “harken back” to their historic look. I’m not talking about new helmets or an alternate, but a primary home/road redesign. I remember you mentioned rumors of the Jaguars going back to their prowler uniforms full time.
Unfortunately I’m not privy to any of that (and if I did have embargoed uni news I couldn’t share it anyway), so I’m relying only on what is tantamount to hearsay and rumor. The Commanders will be interesting, because they’re technically going to be entering “year four” of their uni redesign which would make them ineligible to get new uniforms for two more years, but it’s also possible the NFL would grant them an exception to the five-year rule because of new ownership. If the Commanders are granted an exemption, I’m hearing the team wants the unis to revert back to the Riggins/Theismann style (obviously with a new helmet logo), as Josh Harris (new owner) came of age when those unis were winning championships.
But honestly, I have nothing concrete — teams who are redesigning almost always unveil new uniforms before the draft; if teams are introducing other elements (like new throwbacks or a new alternate/pants) usually do after the draft, and we find out things like new helmets in the summer.
Thank you Phil. I’m just a little starved for some NFL uniform news or rumors. I’m hopeful Commanders and Jaguars revert to their past uniforms instead of the monstrosities they have now.
Agreed! I just wish the latest news wasn’t a team ditching its best uniform and redesignating an alternate to primary.
I think once April hits, we’ll begin to know a LOT more about new uniforms. I’m also anticipating a bevvy of new helmets and alternates … but those will probably not be known until after the draft. Between now and then, teams who have new/redesigned uniform sets for 2025 will likely unveil.
The Titans are, and have been, a team with an identity crisis from some time. I never have respected them as a franchise anyway, as they stole everything from Houston that they didn’t need or really use. Now, thankfully, they aren’t going to roll out there in Houston Oiler gear. But it didn’t stop them from wearing it one last time this past season against.. Houston. Now given up the name and colors and then progress will be made regarding that petty organization.
With a new stadium coming in 2027, the correct move is to rebrand, even if it’s just new colors and an updated logo; the team name is fine. But given the history of this franchise, I won’t expect much. They probably will draft a QB this year and pass on the chance a huge money making opportunity, if nothing else, in Arch Manning next year because, well, that’s the Titans’ way.
It’s amazing how people hate on the Titans uniforms as if their lives depend on it. They aren’t bad in a vacuum. Pair some decent pant/sock combos and they’d be just fine.
Yet again I must note that the Titans are the only team that makes dark blue/light blue look bad. The Grizzlies make it look disappointingly mediocre. The Blue Jays make it look great. The Argonauts have made it look great a half-dozen different ways. Even the Utah Hockey Club has gotten it right. I won’t even get into all the excellent college teams.
I like the change and the dark blue pits on the new home play better off the helmet and socks. The dark blue with the light blue pits always bugged me because there’s no more light blue in the uniform… other than helmet logo… of if they wear the light blue pants. Which that was the only good look for the dark blue top. One wish, make the nameplate, chest, and back numbers white with dark blue outlines so it’s easier to read in person and on TV.
They could even start wearing light blue socks on the road, as long as it’s with the dark blue or white pants. Light blue pants should get dark blue or white socks. I hate the monochrome pants/socks look as well.
One last one, even here it clear people LOVE to hate on the Titans. Usually for reason they don’t even understand like bad dealings between the city and the team. Playing hardball with Bud rather than doing what they did for Bob McNair a few short years later. The same reason they almost lost the Astros. But they’ll just attack the Titans and our fans… people that had absolutely nothing to do with that situation. We simply embraced the team we were given. Glad people have something to hate, though. Whatever floats your boat.
“here it clear people LOVE to hate on the Titans”
I’m not sure where you’re getting that. I have no issue with the Titans (other than they really need a uni redesign), but rather with the Adams family. I myself (can’t speak for others) harbor no ill will towards the great fans and people from the State of Tennessee. As you say, the fans had nothing to do with the situation — and I do feel bad for them. But the Adams? Eff no.
If you want to equate dislike for ownership to dislike of the team, that’s your prerogative, but it’s certainly not my position.
Just like I can hate the Yankees (or pick any team) but still love the unis.
I don’t think any Houstonians are even mad at the Titans — just their ownership.
After reading thru the comments – I agree, The Titans should look way better than they do given their great color scheme. Their biggest problems imo remains gimmicky elements like the sword/yoke, awful number font, pants graphic thingy and that pointless bit under the arms. This team really could pull off a far more simple and traditional look and let go of the Oilers poke in the eye culture once and for all (we Tennesseeans do not really care about that element). Marlins (CC) and Ole Miss pull off great looks with colors that aren’t too far from what TN has. Hope they change up for the new stadium – and go with a look so classic it never needs to be dramatically changed again..