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Most NFL teams feature dance or cheer squads on the sidelines. A handful do not. If you have tuned into a Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, or Buffalo Bills game and noticed no cheerleaders, that was not a coincidence. Each of these franchises has a clear history and philosophy behind the choice. This guide lays out the full list, explains why these teams stand apart, and tracks the historical path that led them here. By the end, you will understand the cultural, legal, and practical reasons that shape game-day entertainment across the league.
Quick Answer: Which NFL Teams Don’t Have Cheerleaders?
As of the current NFL season, six teams do not field an official cheerleading or dance squad:
- Buffalo Bills
- Chicago Bears
- Cleveland Browns
- Green Bay Packers
- New York Giants
- Pittsburgh Steelers
That means 26 of 32 NFL franchises do have cheer or dance teams, while these six do not.
Why Some NFL Teams Do Not Have Cheerleaders
Ownership Philosophy and Brand Fit
In several cities, the final call is simple: leadership prefers not to have them. Teams like the Bears, Giants, and Steelers have longstanding leadership views that the gameday brand should center on football, tradition, and the crowd, without a cheer squad. That is not a knock on cheerleading. It is a specific brand choice shaped by decades of team identity and local expectations.
Climate and Stadium Realities
All six teams without cheerleaders play in cold-weather markets, and most play outdoors for at least part of the season. Late-season conditions in Buffalo, Green Bay, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey can be harsh. While many cold-weather teams still have cheerleaders, the climate factor raises cost, logistics, and wardrobe complexity. For several franchises, that added layer is not worth it.
Legal and Labor Risk
The 2010s brought multiple wage and workplace lawsuits across the NFL against third-party operators and teams. High-profile cases involved the Raiders, Bills, and others. Some franchises responded by restructuring. Others decided to avoid the risk altogether. The Bills’ situation, in particular, shifted attitudes in a visible way.
Community Traditions and College Tie-Ins
Green Bay stands out here. The Packers ended their official squad in 1988 but still feature collegiate cheerleaders from nearby schools on gamedays. That approach supports local programs and preserves a family-first, community-owned feel. The result is pageantry without an official franchise-run squad.
Economics and the Modern Entertainment Mix
Game-day has evolved. Teams today invest in drumlines, DJs, LED shows, mascot skits, augmented reality effects, and fan clubs. If ownership believes these elements deliver more bang per budget or better match the brand, a cheer squad becomes optional rather than essential.
Team-by-Team: History and Reasons
Chicago Bears
The Bears had the Honey Bears from 1977 through the 1985 season. After the 1985 Super Bowl title, the organization chose not to renew the squad. Leadership emphasized a conservative brand and football-first experience in the stands. Over the years, fans have debated bringing the Honey Bears back. The team has stuck with its stance. The Bears channel energy into the band, mascot, and the raw vibe of Soldier Field without a cheer team. The identity is deliberate and consistent: tough, traditional, and focused on the product on the field.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have not had an official, ongoing cheerleading program in the modern era. Reports of limited or short-lived efforts in the 1970s never evolved into a lasting squad. Cleveland has invested in its drumline, mascots, and a strong local tailgating culture to drive game-day energy. The franchise’s identity leans blue-collar and historical. With winter weather along Lake Erie and a leadership preference for other entertainment options, the Browns continue without a cheer squad.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers fielded an official cheer squad at various points in their history, with the last official team ending in 1988. Since then, Green Bay features collegiate squads from local universities on the sidelines. This setup honors community roots and keeps costs and legal exposure lower, while still delivering sideline spirit. Packers games retain a unique flavor: historic stadium, community ownership, and college cheerleaders filling the gap without transforming into a modern, franchise-run program.
New York Giants
The Giants are one of the most prominent NFL teams with no cheerleading squad. The ownership philosophy has long been consistent: keep the focus on football and tradition. In the New York market, with abundant entertainment options, the franchise maintains a classic game-day model. Between the band, in-stadium presentation, and the energy of divisional rivalries, the Giants believe the experience stands on its own.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh had the Steelerettes from 1961 to 1969. The squad was connected to a local college partnership. When that arrangement ended and leadership changed, the team opted not to continue the program. Ever since, the Steelers have never returned to cheerleaders. The atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium is driven by the Terrible Towel tradition, music, and hard-nosed football. The decision aligns with the team’s gritty, heritage-heavy image.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills had the Buffalo Jills for decades, but the squad was suspended in 2014 following legal action that centered on pay and working conditions. The team cut ties with the third-party operator, and the Jills have not returned in an official capacity. Buffalo leans on its famously raucous fan base, pregame pageantry, and in-game production to maintain energy without a cheer squad. The climate and legal lessons from the past contribute to a cautious approach.
Common Myths and Clarifications
Do the Packers have cheerleaders?
They do not have an official franchise-run squad. Instead, local college cheer squads perform at home games. To many fans, it looks and feels like a cheer presence, but it is not an official Packers team program.
Did the Chargers get rid of cheerleaders?
The Chargers retired the Charger Girls during the transition to a co-ed dance and entertainment team model. While the structure changed, they still feature a club-operated performance group. That keeps them out of the no-cheerleader list.
Have any teams changed status recently?
Team entertainment programs evolve. Some clubs have rebranded, shifted to co-ed groups, or changed vendors. The six teams listed here remain notably consistent in choosing not to operate an official cheer or dance program.
Will Any of These Teams Add Cheerleaders?
Never say never, but there are clear patterns:
- Bears: Leadership has kept a firm line post-Honey Bears. A return would be a surprise.
- Browns: The franchise prefers other entertainment. Change is possible but not expected.
- Packers: The collegiate arrangement fits perfectly. An official squad seems unlikely.
- Giants: The brand philosophy has been steady for decades. Low probability.
- Steelers: Tradition-focused and stable without cheerleaders. Unlikely.
- Bills: The legal history makes a restart complicated. Not impossible, but cautious.
If any team shifts, it will likely be in the direction of highly professionalized, co-ed, dance-and-stunt groups with clear employment standards and strong compliance frameworks.
How Teams Without Cheerleaders Keep the Energy High
Drumlines and Bands
High-decibel drumlines punch sound into every corner of the stadium, especially in colder months when brass instruments and percussion deliver crisp, powerful audio. These groups are precise, high-energy, and easy to integrate across pregame, halftime, and TV breaks.
Mascots and Fan Traditions
For the Steelers, the Terrible Towel tradition needs no introduction. In Green Bay, the Lambeau Leap is a signature moment. Teams build identities around these rituals, mascots, and coordinated crowd moments. The absence of cheerleaders does not diminish the spectacle when traditions are strong.
Modern In-Stadium Production
LED boards, synchronized lighting, curated playlists, and content segments keep crowds dialed in. Teams also run youth football spotlights, military recognitions, and community highlights. It is a different mix of elements, but the overall effect can be just as engaging.
What This Means for Fans
Game-Day Atmosphere
If you are used to cheerleaders at other venues, you will notice the difference. Yet the atmosphere remains intense. Bands, DJ sets, and fan rituals fill the gaps. For many fans in these markets, the atmosphere feels more traditional and football-centric.
Broadcast Presentation
TV directors focus on on-field action, fan reactions, and production elements. In markets without cheer squads, broadcasts lean into crowd shots, weather storylines, and team traditions. The narrative stays on football.
Product Spotlight: A Practical Sideline Pick
Cold-weather games can make it tough to grip anything, from a foam finger to a parking-lot football at the tailgate. If you want a functional upgrade that actually helps in tough conditions, here is a simple, durable piece of gear that fits the scene.
adidas Padded Receivers Football Gloves
Why it helps: Sticky palms improve grip in rain, wind, and cold. Padding on the back of the hand adds light protection without bulk. For casual catches before kickoff or flag football with friends, better grip means fewer drops and more control.
Best for: Fans who toss a ball around pregame, rec-league players, and anyone who wants dependable hand traction when the weather turns. The sleek profile fits under jacket cuffs, and the snug wrist closure keeps wind out.
Fit and feel: A compressive, athletic cut hugs the hand so the glove moves with you. The palm material is engineered for consistent tack, which helps when the ball is cold or slightly wet.
Durability: Reinforced stitching and abrasion-resistant zones hold up during repeated use on turf and in parking lots. Wipe the palms after use to maintain the tack and extend life.
Potential downsides: Padded receiver gloves can run warm in early-season heat. If your hands run hot, consider a non-padded minimal profile. Sizing can feel snug; if you are between sizes, some users prefer the larger option for easier on-and-off.
Historical Timeline: Key Turning Points
1960s: Early Experiments
Teams like the Steelers experimented with cheer squads tied to local colleges. The concept was simpler, budgets were smaller, and standards were looser. As the league grew, programs either professionalized or faded out.
1977–1985: Bears’ Honey Bears Era
Chicago’s Honey Bears became a recognizable part of Soldier Field. Following the 1985 championship season, the club ended the program. That decision set a template for a tradition-first game-day without an official squad.
Late 1980s: Packers End Official Squad
In 1988, the Packers shifted to collegiate cheerleaders. It remains a signature Green Bay compromise: pageantry on the sidelines without a franchise-run team.
2014: Bills Suspension
After legal action regarding wages and workplace standards, the Bills suspended the Buffalo Jills. The case reverberated around the league and influenced how teams evaluate risk and structure.
Late 2010s: Modernization and Co-Ed Groups
Legal settlements and cultural shifts pushed teams to formalize employment practices, add co-ed talent, and reposition squads as dance-and-stunt performance teams. Many clubs thrive under this updated model. The six teams listed above chose a different path, doubling down on alternative game-day elements.
FAQs
How many NFL teams have cheerleaders?
Twenty-six teams currently operate cheer or dance squads. Six do not: Bills, Bears, Browns, Packers, Giants, and Steelers.
Are male cheerleaders part of the NFL now?
Yes. Several teams feature co-ed squads with male dancers and stunt performers. That reflects a broader shift toward inclusive, athletic performance groups.
Do teams without cheerleaders ever host guest performers?
Yes. Drumlines, local college cheer squads, youth groups, military bands, and special-occasion performers appear at various times. Green Bay’s collegiate model is the most consistent example.
Does not having cheerleaders affect team success?
No. There is no connection between a cheer squad and on-field performance. This is about brand, tradition, and entertainment style.
Why are cold-weather teams overrepresented on the no-cheer list?
Cold conditions complicate wardrobe, logistics, and scheduling. While some cold-weather teams do maintain cheer squads, the added complexity makes opting out more common.
How to Verify What You’ll See on Game Day
Check the Team’s Gameday Guide
Most teams publish a game-day overview with entertainment schedules, drumline appearances, and community features. If a team has an official cheer squad, it will be listed there with bios and content. If not, the guide will emphasize other elements.
Watch Recent Home Broadcasts
Look at the last two or three home games. If you see a dance team featured in pregame hits or between quarters, the team has an active squad. If not, expect drumlines, mascot features, and crowd-led traditions to carry the energy.
What Makes These Six Teams Different
Tradition Over Trend
The Bears, Giants, and Steelers are legacy franchises with a long-protected identity. They lean classic and prioritize the core football product. Change for the sake of change does not fit their approach.
Community-Centered Model
The Packers’ collegiate setup underscores their community ethos. It is unique but logical for a community-owned team. This model also provides a platform for local students.
Legal Lessons
The Bills’ experience remains a cautionary tale. Without ironclad vendor oversight and employment frameworks, the risk can outweigh the reward. Some teams would rather avoid that risk entirely.
Climate Pragmatism
Cold-weather logistics raise costs and complicate attire. With so many alternative ways to entertain, several franchises opt for simpler, more weatherproof plans.
If a Team Reconsiders: What Would Need to Change
For any of these franchises to add a squad, expect all of the following:
- Clear employment standards and pay transparency
- Cold-weather uniform planning with athlete health in mind
- Integrated production roles beyond the sidelines
- Community alignment and fan buy-in
- Budget allocation justified by measurable fan experience gains
That is a high bar. It is not impossible, but it demands intent and investment.
Bottom Line for Fans and Newcomers
What You Will See
At Bears, Browns, Packers, Giants, Steelers, and Bills games, you will see intense fan traditions, drumlines or bands, mascot features, and heavy production elements. You will not see a franchise-run cheer squad.
What You Will Not Miss
Energy. These venues are among the loudest and most distinctive in the league. The game runs the show, and the crowd is the star.
Conclusion
Six NFL teams do not have cheerleaders: the Bills, Bears, Browns, Packers, Giants, and Steelers. Their reasons are consistent: ownership philosophy, climate, legal caution, community traditions, and a belief that game-day energy can thrive without a sideline squad. Across the rest of the league, cheer and dance programs have modernized into professional, co-ed performance teams. Both approaches can deliver a strong stadium experience. If you are heading to one of these cities, expect a traditional, football-first atmosphere powered by drumlines, mascots, and fans who treat every down like it decides the season. Different routes, same destination: a memorable Sunday built around the game.