Although Nike provided uniforms for the team in 1996 utilizing a design nearly identical to Wilson’s 1995 uniforms, their “swoosh” logo influenced a completely new design introduced in 1997. For the first time since 1962, orange was replaced as the uniform’s predominate color by a dark blue (standard athletic colors being Broncos Navy Blue, Orange, and White).
Home jerseys were blue with an orange stripe on either side which started at a tapered point next to the collar and curved around to form the jerseys’ side vent panel. White remained the primary color of road jerseys utilizing blue striping. The stripe from the jersey was continued down the outseam of the pants as well, matching the width of the jersey at the top and tapering to a point which curved inward to a point at about the knee. This formed a continuous stripe extending from the collar, outward to the waist, and back in to the knee. These jerseys featured a deep V-neck with contrasting color neckband (orange on home jersey; blue on road). A NFL shield patch is sewn onto triangular spandex insert behind the neckband and above the collar’s apex. Below the apex of the collar is “BRONCOS” in swiss embroidered stitch (white on home jersey; blue on road). Additionally, in 2002, an alternate third jersey was introduced for the home game versus the Patriots. Predominately orange, with blue stripes, the alternate jerseys were again donned for the home game versus the Raiders in 2004.
Also, for the first time since the late 70s, more than one style of pants were worn. A white version with blue striping was worn with the “road” jersey, while “home” uniforms incorporated orange striping. Additionally, an “alternate home” uniform featured Navy Blue pants with orange striping. The “alternate” pants saw limited use in two 1997 pre-season games and they were not worn again until the 2003 season when they were worn for home games on Sep. 22nd and Nov. 3rd.
Included in the design change was a new helmet as well. The new design is dark blue with triple orange stripes which taper to a point at the front and features a white and orange “Cyber-Horse” logo.
In December of 2000, the National Football League signed an agreement with Reebok International, Ltd. making Reebok the exclusive supplier for all 32 NFL teams’ on-field uniforms and sideline apparel beginning in 2002 with the 10-year agreement running through the 2011 season. In advance of the league-wide change, the Broncos were among 20 NFL teams who made the transition in 2001. As both licensees Nike and Reebok contracted with Ripon Athletic of Berlin, WI to actually manufacture their jerseys, the only substancial change for the uniforms was the Nike “Swoosh” logo, which previously appeared on the jerseys’ sleeves below the numbers, being replaced by Reebok’s logo.
In 2001, the NFL allowed the four teams playing in the “Thanksgiving Classic” games—the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions and their respective guest teams—to don a “throwback” uniform for the occasion. To commemorate “The Drive”, the Broncos chose to reproduce their 1986-’87 uniforms for the occasion.
For 2002, an alternate home jersey was introduced for the November 24th game vs. the Indianapolis Colts. For the most part, it was a mirror image of the home jersey, with an orange body and blue collar and striping. Like the regular home jersey the numbering and lettering remained white. This jersey was worn with the standard road uniforms’ pants (with blue striping, matching the alternate jersey). This uniform was again worn for the November 28th home game versus the Raiders in 2004.