The NFL is rolling out something new, and it’s shiny. For the 2025 season, reigning MVP Josh Allen, Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, and three other top performers will sport a distinct gold shield patch on their jerseys. This special patch replaces the traditional NFL shield on the collar – a flashy gold emblem inspired by the NFL Honors logo. It’s the league’s way to visibly recognize the cream players from last season. But as the patch debuts, the question looms: Does this signal genuine prestige or just more NFL branding buzz?

This debate goes beyond just a shiny patch—it’s a clash between celebrating greatness and concerns about excessive bling in a league already packed with logos and marketing schemes. Let’s break down the drama from both sides.

What the gold pat

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