PHILADELPHIA — Editor's note: The above video is from July 31.
For the first time in 13 years—and another 15 years before that—the Eagles will don their beloved Kelly Green jerseys this weekend against the Miami Dolphins.
Team owner Jeffrey Lurie announced in March 2022 that the Birds would bring back their classic Kelly Green jerseys and matching helmets for a few games in 2023. Those games—both at home—are scheduled to be the Week 7 matchup against the Miami Dolphins and Week 12's game against the Buffalo Bills.
It will be the first time since 2010 that the Eagles have worn Kelly Green—a favorite among fans.
For years, the only thing preventing the Eagles from bringing back their old, classic jerseys was a NFL policy enacted after the 2010 season that did not allow teams to use two different colored helmets, citing safety issues. The league wanted to ensure players were fitted correctly for one helmet to maximize concussion safety, and was hesitant to allow a second helmet.
The league changed that policy in 2021, and the Eagles introduced a black helmet to match their black jerseys, saying they needed more time to develop the correct shade of Kelly Green.
“It’s going to be as identical as what existed as possible,” Lurie declared.
The Eagles said they would work with Nike to try to match the new jerseys with the classic 1990s look, a process that took approximately two years. Nike had to custom-develop the color to get it as close as possible to the throwback jerseys.
Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith showed off the new-old look on the NFL's Instagram.
The uniforms will be made of a new fabric that is more breathable and made from all recycled materials. The Birds will pair their new jerseys and helmets with gray pants and white-striped socks.
Fans flocked to Eagles Pro Shops to get their hands on the long-awaited Kelly Green merchandise when it hit shelves in July. Birds faithfuls had been clamoring for the return of the light green shade for years, and Lurie's vague assurances only fueled the hype.
For fans who were disappointed in the Eagles' loss to the Jets on Sunday and Hurts' performance so far this season, the throwback jerseys may provide a needed morale boost. The Birds have won three championship games in their Kelly Green uniforms: 1948, 1949 and 1960.