Washington Commanders New Uniforms 2026: What to Expect on April 15

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are unveiling new uniforms on April 15, just days before the NFL Draft. This is one of the most anticipated uniform reveals in years, and based on everything that's leaked and been teased so far, it sounds like Washington is finally about to get it right.

What We Know So Far

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

Owner Josh Harris confirmed that the new uniforms are built around honoring the franchise's heritage. The Super Bowl era throwbacks that Washington wore as alternates this past season are expected to become the primary home uniform going forward. That means burgundy jerseys, white pants, and a return to the classic look that made this franchise one of the most iconic in the NFC East.

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

The helmet is also getting a change. Washington is reportedly going back to a glossy finish, replacing the matte look they've had since the rebrand. That's a good move. The glossy burgundy helmet with the gold facemask is one of the most recognizable in football and never should have been changed.

The Throwback That Started It All

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

The throwback alternates Washington wore this past season were easily the best uniforms they've put on the field since the name change. The burgundy and gold with the classic striping just works. It connects to the history of the franchise in a way that the original Commanders set completely failed to do.

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

We loved the old uniforms that this franchise wore before the name change. They fit perfectly in the NFC East alongside the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants. The logo obviously brought controversy, but the uniform itself and the color scheme were some of the best in professional sports. We hope the new set gets as close to that as possible.

The Details

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

Look at the craftsmanship on this jersey. The sleeve striping, the number placement, the burgundy and gold balance. This is what a classic NFL uniform looks like. No gradients, no unnecessary design elements. Just clean football.

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

The stripe detail on the pants and the chevron stitching on the jersey are exactly the kind of texture and quality you want to see in a premium NFL uniform. These details matter. They separate a good uniform from a great one.

The Helmet

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

The current Commanders helmet with the W logo is fine, but reports say Washington is going back to a glossy paint finish to replace the matte look. The glossy burgundy is the right call. It's what fans remember and it's what looks best under stadium lights.

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

There's also talk of a new alternate helmet featuring a 1960s-inspired spear design. If that happens, Washington could end up with one of the deepest uniform closets in the league.

The Spear Logo Alternate

The Commanders may have leaked a new alternate theme on social media recently. The rumored design features the current W mark inside a Greco-Roman shield with two crossed spears. If this becomes the alternate uniform, it could end up being one of the best in the NFL. Washington has a deep history to pull from, and the spear theme ties back to the franchise's earliest years in a way that feels respectful and intentional.

Our Take on the Name

We have to be honest. The Commanders name still doesn't feel right. It's too long. It doesn't roll off the tongue. And it doesn't connect to anything about the franchise's visual identity or history. If they were going to move on from the old name, we wish they would have picked something that still carried the energy and the vibe of what came before. Something shorter, something with more identity. But that ship has sailed. The best thing Washington can do now is make the uniforms so good that people stop thinking about the name.

What Happens Next

Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

April 15 is the day. If Washington commits to the Super Bowl era look as the primary set, brings back the glossy helmet, and nails the spear alternate, they could go from one of the worst uniform sets in the league to a top-10 set overnight. We'll have the full jersey-by-jersey breakdown and grade the day they drop.