Just in case you blinked Tuesday, the Bills made headlines in the helmet realm. A day before the start of training camp, Buffalo announced the return of the iconic red helmets, which the team will wear in Week 18 against the Jets.
The return of the red helmets is more than just a tribute, it's a tradition that's coming back. With it being the last season in Highmark Stadium, bringing some traditions back to say farewell was a no-brainer. The helmets will match the style the team wore from 1987-2001.
"We had to look at some throwback elements. The red helmet was something a lot of people in the building were interested in, and it's hard to not notice how interested the fans were as well. So that was something we started talking about early," said Bills Chief Operating Officer Pete Guelli on "A New Morning” on WBEN Radio. "It's something we knew we wanted to do."
While the Bills' front office had been working on the logistics of the announcement, some of the players were in shock at the vintage comeback.
"I thought it was fake… our social media team likes to prank us, so I thought it was a joke, and then they posted one that said, 'This is not a drill,' and I got excited," said WR Khalil Shakir.
Just like a brand-new pair of cleats, these helmets will add a new level of swagger to their game day apparel.
"When you have different types of flavors and the guys feel swagged out in the different uniforms and combinations… if you look good, you feel good, you play good," said Shakir.
Scroll through these exclusive images of the Buffalo Bills red helmet for 2025. The Bills will wear their red helmets in Week 18 against the Jets.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Red Helmet Release, July 16, 2025.
Buffalo Bills vintage red helmet lawn sign, July 16, 2025 at at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills vintage red helmet lawn sign, July 16, 2025 at at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills vintage red helmet lawn sign, July 16, 2025 at at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills vintage red helmet lawn sign, July 16, 2025 at at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Surprisingly, with a history so deep, some players are new to the lore of red helmets.
"I never even knew the Bills had a red helmet. Josh wore it last year during our Blue and Red game, and I didn't know if we'd ever bring it back. I think it's pretty fire," said RB Ray Davis.
Although camp is the main focus right now, with all the excitement around the helmets, players can't wait to see them.
"I've seen the videos and the pictures, but I want to see them in person. They haven't given me the honor yet, but they look crazy," added DE AJ Epenesa.
The Bills red helmets are well known for being part of the era where the team won four consecutive AFC Championships. The teams, coached by the legendary Marv Levy, included Bills legends including Bruce Smith, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and plenty more.
"To have that legendary era and be able to bring something back like that, I think it's touching for those guys because they get to kind of see it come back for them, and it's like, oh, that's what we used to wear. But also to show our respect and to try and emulate those guys, that's the goal," said Epenesa.
And if you're wondering how Josh Allen feels about them: "They're great," he said.
