Winter is coming in New England. The Patriots are dressing accordingly, cloaking themselves in a uniform that pays homage to the blustery squalls that sweep across the east coast.
New England is the latest side to embrace the NFL's "Rivalry" decree, which calls on teams to sport unique threads during divisional matchups. The theme is simple: the uniforms connect the team with its local community, akin to MLB's City Connect kits.
While clam chowder, Boston baked beans and the Dropkick Murphys were alluring Boston-based staples to allude to, the Pats settled on a more fearsome phenomenon: nor'easters.
Here's what you need to know about the jerseys New England will be rocking when it takes on the Jets on Thursday night.
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Patriots 'Rivalry' jersey details
The Patriots "Rivalry" jerseys are an ode to nor'easters, the bitter storms that slam the Northeast United States every winter. The uniforms are cloaked in a "rugged, weathered and worn in" blue -- labeled a "deep Storm blue" that resembles "the coastline after a gale", according to the Patriots' official website.
New England's jerseys also include a few Easter eggs. There are six stars on the uniform, a reference to the six states that make up the New England region. The jersey numbers are decked with vertical striping and mesh material that evokes images of the Drew Bledsoe-led teams of the 1990s.
A matte white helmet conjures memories of snow, caked atop the thoroughfare that line New England's landscape. The inside of the collar even features a message: "We Are All Patriots."
New England appears to have put a lot of thought into its uniform. From shoulder and pant stripes that pay homage to New England's harbors to red accents that reflect the Pats' original color palette, the jerseys represent "both the unforgiving power of nor'easters and the perseverance of the people who face them head-on."
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What are NFL 'Rivalries' jerseys?
In 2025, the NFL debuted "Rivalry" jerseys that teams will wear during divisional matchups only. These uniforms are meant to connect each team with its community, similar to MLB's City Connect jerseys.
The league unveiled the uniforms in bunches, with two divisions receiving their kits each year. This year, the AFC East and NFC West are the first two divisions that will get to wear their "Rivalry" jerseys. Each team will have a "Rivalry" jersey by 2028.
Here is a look at the full schedule for when each division gets their own versions of these uniforms:
- 2025: AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots) and NFC West (49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks)
- 2026: AFC South (Colts, Jaguars, Texans and Titans) and NFC North (Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings)
- 2027: AFC West (Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders) and NFC East (Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants)
- 2028: AFC North (Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers) and NFC South (Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints)