Why Josh Allen’s Bills jersey will stand out with a new look unlike any other player on the team (Getty Images) The long wait is over. In just five days, the Buffalo Bills will open their regular season against the Baltimore Ravens, rekindling last year’s tense AFC Divisional Round showdown. While all eyes will be on the rematch itself, quarterback Josh Allen will stand out for another reason—he’ll be sporting a golden emblem that marks his rise among the NFL’s elite.
Josh Allen wears the Gold Shield as NFL MVP
On September 2, the NFL confirmed a striking new design for its jerseys: MVPs and Players of the Year will wear a golden NFL Shield on their collars instead of the traditional silver. That subtle but powerful change will make Allen’s jersey different from his teammates’. As reporter Alaina Getzenberg noted on X, “Players with the patch: MVP Josh Allen, OPOY Saquon Barkley, DPOY Pat Surtain II, OROY Jayden Daniels, DROY Jared Verse.”For Allen, the patch is more than just an accessory—it’s recognition of a historic season. He claimed his first league MVP last year after throwing for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding 531 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. His ability to dominate with both arm and legs edged out stiff competition from Lamar Jackson, who posted stronger passing numbers but trailed in rushing impact. That versatility may have been the defining factor in Allen’s victory.The Ravens quarterback now gets an immediate chance for redemption. Facing Allen in Week 1, Jackson will be eager to prove he should be the one wearing gold. It’s a storyline that adds even more drama to an already high-stakes matchup.
Buffalo Bills enter a new era with Allen at the helm
The Gold Shield isn’t the only fresh look for the Bills this season. The team will also bring back its iconic red helmets with white face masks, worn regularly between 1987 and 2001. The retro gear will debut in Week 18 against the Jets, a symbolic send-off before Buffalo moves into its new open-air stadium next year.Off the field, Allen’s offseason was just as eventful. He secured a six-year, $330 million contract extension, tied the knot with longtime partner Hailee Steinfeld in Southern California, and cemented himself as the face of the franchise.Now, with the golden patch on his chest, Josh Allen isn’t just playing for another MVP—he’s chasing the one prize that still eludes Buffalo: a Super Bowl title.Also Read: “My wife absolutely kills it”: Josh Allen reveals why his wife’s performance in Sinners made him cry uncontrollably