Bills Wear Gray Nickel City Alternates vs. Bears on Dec. 19
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- Buffalo hosts Chicago in Week 15 on Saturday, December 19.
- The Bills wear the gray Nickel City alternate with a blue helmet.
- The helmet, "The Charge," is the first blue helmet in team history.
- Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. ET on CBS.
This report covers the Bills' uniform for the Bears game. It does not preview the game itself.
Bills vs. Bears: game and uniform details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game | Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills, Saturday night |
| Venue | Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York |
| Kickoff | 8:20 p.m. ET on CBS |
| Bills uniform | Gray Nickel City alternate, royal blue "Charge" helmet |
| Theme | Inspire Change and holiday theming |
What the Nickel City alternate is
The Bills unveiled Nickel City on July 27, 2026. It is the first all-gray uniform in franchise history, with a jersey and pants in gray and a royal blue helmet with a metallic flake finish. The helmet has no full logo; it carries the Charging Buffalo's horn, eye and red charge streak. Director of design Aaron La Porta said gray was "the one brand color we've never leaned into."
The history behind the gray
The team says the gray is inspired by the Buffalo nickel and by the steel mills, grain elevators and rail yards that shaped the city. The design also honors the workers who built Highmark Stadium, the Bills' new home. The jersey has a royal blue collar with "Go Bills" inside, a detail that echoes the "Bills Mafia" collar on last season's Rivalries uniform.
Nickel City on the schedule
Buffalo wears Nickel City twice. The first time was Week 3 against the Chargers, a 24–16 win. The second is Week 15 against the Bears on December 19, on a Saturday night broadcast. The game also features holiday theming and recognition of the year's Inspire Change Changemaker. Reaction to the design was mixed to negative on social media.
The Bears side
Chicago is 5-2, according to ESPN, and the Bears have their own special uniform on Christmas Day against the Packers. Their uniform for the Buffalo game has not been announced. The two teams meet only once in 2026, on this date.
A new stadium
The Bills play 2026 in Highmark Stadium, their new home. The team wears a stitched Inaugural Season patch in Week 2 against the Lions, and the Nickel City uniform was announced as part of the new-stadium season. The Bears game is a Saturday-night national broadcast on CBS.
Where the Bills stand
Buffalo is 5-1, according to ESPN, after wins over Houston, Detroit, the Chargers, the Rams and the Raiders. Their only loss was to New England in Week 4. The Bills had a Week 7 bye and next host Baltimore on November 1.
Wearing gray on game day
Fans pair the gray with a current star. The Josh Allen jersey (No. 17) is the quarterback's. For every date and color this season, see the Buffalo Bills jerseys 2026 guide.
Nike makes the NFL's uniforms and has since 2012, so every jersey described here is a Nike design.
Buffalo plays in the AFC East, and its away jersey is white, so the gray Nickel City is a separate alternate rather than the road set. It is not a Color Rush uniform either; for that, see Color Rush jerseys.
FAQ
What time is Bills vs. Bears on December 19?
8:20 p.m. ET on CBS, per ESPN.
What will the Bills wear against the Bears?
The gray Nickel City alternate with a royal blue helmet.
Is this the first time the Bills wear gray?
No. They first wore Nickel City in Week 3 against the Chargers.