Cincinnati Bengals’ “New Stripes” Rank in NFL’s Top Five (2026)

Sports Illustrated’s 2026 offseason uniform ranking placed the Cincinnati Bengals’ “New Stripes” design at No. 5 of 32 NFL teams. Mike Kadlick highlighted the mix-and-match of orange, black, white jerseys and pants, and the addition of a white helmet supporting the Paycor Stadium whiteout.

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The Bengals introduced the “New Stripes” on April 19, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium, the first major change since 2004 and the third alteration since stripes debuted in 1981 (updates also occurred in 1997 and 2004). The redesign added interchangeable colors and a white helmet.

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Mike Kadlick, Sports Illustrated writer, compiled the ranking and provided commentary; quarterback Joe Burrow, Pro Bowl passer and 2022 Comeback Player of the Year, expressed his view; the Bengals’ design team, unnamed in the sources, executed the 2021 concepts.

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Rank: No. 5, behind Baltimore Ravens (4), Dallas Cowboys (3), San Francisco 49ers (2) and Los Angeles Chargers (1). Kadlick’s criteria emphasized visual appeal, mix-and-match flexibility and brand alignment.

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Interchangeable colors let the team tailor its look for specific games, while the white helmet reinforces the “iced-out” aesthetic during whiteout. Kadlick called the redesign a “slam dunk,” indicating broad acceptance, and the organization signaled no intent for another major overhaul this decade.

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Kadlick praised uniform, noting the mix-and-match capability “allows them to adjust their look as they see fit.” He highlighted the addition of a white helmet for whiteout tradition. Burrow downplayed attire, saying he would “play in trash bags” and that focus remains on performance and winning for fans.

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Kadlick noted the redesign “may be controversial,” but the sources give no dissenting opinions or organized opposition.

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• “This one may be controversial, but the 'New Stripes' uniforms the Bengals introduced in 2021 are a slam dunk,” — Mike Kadlick, Sports Illustrated writer

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• “The ability for them to mix-and-match between orange, black, and white jerseys and pants allows them to adjust their look as they see fit, and the addition of their White Bengal helmet created the iced-out look that they pair with their annual Paycor Stadium whiteout.” — Mike Kadlick, Sports Illustrated writer

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• “I'd play in trash bags, I really don't care what we wear out there. I know the fans are going to be excited for it. They're gonna come out in full force, hopefully we can make 'em proud and get a win,” — Joe Burrow, Bengals quarterback

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• “The Ravens unveiled new uniforms in 2026, helping them usher in a new era of football in Baltimore alongside new head coach Jesse Minter,” — Mike Kadlick, Sports Illustrated writer

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The Bengals will meet the Ravens twice in the upcoming AFC North schedule, and the franchise does not anticipate another uniform revision before the decade’s end.

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