When football season rolls around, fans gear up not just with foam fingers and snacks, but with jerseys, hats, and banners all tied to one thing: NFL team colors. Each franchise carries a unique identity painted into its palette. These color choices do more than look good on game day. They symbolize team legacy, spark rivalries, and influence branding across the league.

From the deep blues of Dallas to the vibrant oranges of Cleveland, NFL colors play a major role in fan loyalty and team image. Learning about them can also be fun for artists and sports designers. Whether you're picking colors for a fantasy league or just learning about how visual design enhances team spirit, a tool like the Color Wheel can help you explore contrast, tone, and matchups.

Let's explore the rainbow of football teams and highlight the franchises that wear each major shade with pride!

The Power of Blue in the NFL

Some of the league's most famous brands rely on blue tones. It's a common color in American sports because it evokes confidence, calm, and loyalty. Among the most recognized blue NFL teams:

• Dallas Cowboys - Royal and navy blue
• New York Giants - Dark blue
• Detroit Lions - Honolulu blue
• Seattle Seahawks - College navy
• Los Angeles Rams - Royal blue

Each franchise adds accents like silver or gray to help these shades stand out. Blue remains the most consistent color found across multiple divisions, helping brands appear stable and tradition-rich.

Green Teams Bring Energy and Uniqueness

Fewer teams wear green, but when they do, it leaves an impact. This color often symbolizes freshness, growth, or bold identity. Standout green NFL teams include:

• Philadelphia Eagles - Midnight green
• New York Jets - Gotham green
• Seattle Seahawks - Action green (as a neon secondary)

The contrast of green jerseys against neutral or dark helmets helps these uniforms pop. Green also feels more connected to turf and nature, giving teams like the Eagles a grounded identity.

The Royal Look: Purple Teams in the League

Only two franchises feature purple as their base color, but both have made strong branding choices:

• Minnesota Vikings - Deep purple with gold trim
• Baltimore Ravens - Regal purple with black and gold

These purple NFL teams stand out for their boldness. Purple evokes creativity, mystery, and even royalty. Paired with metallic accents, these teams craft a strong visual brand that's both aggressive and majestic.

According to Pantone, purple continues to grow as a popular identity color in sports and design.

Yellow: From Highlights to Full Uniforms

Yellow is bright, fast, and electric. It's not always used as a primary base, but many teams lean on it for accents and branding. These yellow NFL teams include:

• Green Bay Packers - Gold (often referred to as yellow)
• Pittsburgh Steelers - "Steelers gold"
• Los Angeles Chargers - Sunshine gold
• Minnesota Vikings - Gold trim

Whether it's bold pants or helmet stripes, yellow is high visibility. It grabs attention, especially on turf under stadium lights. That's why it's common in helmets and shoulder trims.

A Team That Owns Red and Yellow

Among the most recognized red and yellow football team brands is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs wear a bold mix of crimson red and gold. Their color pairing represents energy and strength. Few teams in professional sports own this combination so completely.

The colors were inspired by their original AFL design in the 1960s. Today, it's still one of the best-known visual brands in the NFL.

Orange Squads and Their Historic Ties

Orange jerseys often spark strong opinions. Love them or hate them, they're hard to ignore. Several orange NFL teams make their mark with this fiery hue:

• Cleveland Browns - Bright orange and brown
• Cincinnati Bengals - Tiger-striped orange and black
• Denver Broncos - Bronco orange
• Chicago Bears (alt uniforms) - Navy with orange trim

Orange represents speed, heat, and risk. It's not a subtle choice, which makes it ideal for high-energy teams or alternate uniforms designed to break the mold.

Final Thoughts

Fans know that colors matter. They scream identity before the first snap. From the purple NFL teams like the Vikings to modern bold picks like the Seahawks' neon green NFL teams, every shade builds a legacy.

And if you're a designer, fan artist, or NFL history buff, using the right tools like a Color Wheel can help you explore every vibrant layer of this story.

Now that you know how these palettes work together, look again at your favorite team's jersey. You might just see more than color - you'll see history.