Miami Dolphins fans might have gotten used to seeing their team struggle in the familiar aqua blue and orange, but this week, they’ll notice something different: the players taking the field in black jerseys as they look to avoid a 0-4 start.
So why the change? The Dolphins are participating in a new NFL program that debuted earlier this week during the Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks matchup. These alternate uniforms are part of the league’s effort to celebrate team rivalries and offer fans a fresh look on primetime nights. Let’s dive into all the details behind Miami’s new rivalry jerseys.
Why Will the Miami Dolphins Wear Alternate Black Uniforms on MNF?
The Dolphins became the second franchise to wear a Nike Rivalries uniform in a game during the 2025 season. This is not a single appearance. The set, officially called the “Dark Waters”, will be part of the Dolphins’ rotation for three seasons, giving the look ongoing significance for the team and its fans.
At first glance, the uniform is a bold black-on-black design, with black jerseys and helmets forming the base. Miami’s traditional aqua and orange appear as accents on the shoulders, collar, numbers, and player names, creating a striking contrast against the dark backdrop. The color palette evokes the team’s identity while adding a fierce, modern edge.
The design features dark aquatic tones made to represent a team, as Miami itself put it, which hunts in dark waters. Orange highlights and subtle deep blue accents weave throughout the uniform, giving it a sleek, aggressive look befitting the longtime rivalry between the Dolphins and Jets.
The Rivalries program was announced in April 2025. As per NFL.com, the initiative is “a new and exciting uniform and fan gear program that will give athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before.”
The program focuses on uniforms inspired by each team’s home community and reserves the Rivalries for select divisional rivalry games.
Nike and the NFL launched Rivalries with eight teams in 2025: the AFC East and the NFC West. The plan intends for two more divisions to adopt Rivalries uniforms in each successive year until every division has participated, which means this program will be a league-wide rollout rather than an isolated design experiment.
Beyond the league-wide initiative, the uniform also celebrates the fierce rivalry between the Dolphins and Jets, which Miami leads 61–57–1. With both teams off to a 0–3 start this season, will the bold new jersey spark a turnaround for the Dolphins?
