As the Autumn leaves turn into threat of Winter snow, I think it’s high time to take a gander at the weird, wild, and wacky world of alternate NFL uniforms. Some make you wonder how they ever got approved (looking at you Detroit) and some make you wonder why they ever went away in the first place (RIP the Oilers).
There is some interesting variety to the league’s alternate threads right now. Some relics survive from the late 2010’s Color Rush era, some amazing throwbacks are coming back, and some are just different colored versions of the primary looks. All the more reason to rank the NFL’s alternate aesthetics:
To skip to a section:
The Ah! My Eyes Hurt! Tier
#55 – Detroit Lions’ Charcoal Color Rush Abomination
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They’ve always been embarrassing, but pairing the super-modern charcoal uniforms with a throwback logo on a mismatched helmet was impressive dedication to looking horrible.
#54 – Cleveland Browns’ Color Rush Full-Turd
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What can brown do for you? Apparently this.
#53 – Indianapolis Colts’ “Indiana Nights” Uniform
Embed from Getty ImagesDo you think anyone in the board room kept a straight face when the name “Indiana Nights” was proposed for this uniform? They had to know they were going to get dragged on social media hard for it, but points for preserving regardless. The jersey actually looks cool, but the black helmet clashes hard with all blue below the waist. It looks more half-a**ed than anything.
#52 – Tennessee Titans’ Columbia Blue
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s a light blue version of an already lame uniform.
#51 – New York Jets’ Stealth Black
Embed from Getty ImagesThe team known as Gang Green apparently hates wearing the color green for some reason.
#50 – San Francisco 49ers’ 1955 White Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesI know these are pretty beloved, but I never got the hype. I think they look kind of weird with the only gold being on the helmet, with black trim used everywhere else. The drop-shadow numbers are fresh though.
But Like…Why?
#49 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Pewter Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesThat’s a whole lot of brown-looking “pewter”. Like wayyyy too much.
#48 – Carolina Panthers’ Black Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s just the regular old home uniform with a new helmet…and they couldn’t even match the stripes to the rest of the ensemble.
#47 – Los Angeles Rams’ Bone Alternate
Embed from Getty ImagesI’ve always wondered if these were requested by the Rams equipment staff so they would have to do less laundry during the season.
#46 – Minnesota Vikings’ Purple Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesWow these are bright! And when my eyes stop hurting, they ask why they went full color and then didn’t bring in an all-yellow version of the helmet horn to match the rest of the look. I mean, why stop at 95%?!
#45 – Denver Broncos’ Snow-Capped Orange Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter further review, the helmets do not actually look like the Rocky Mountain peaks soaring over the Denver skyline. Nice marketing though.
#44 – Jacksonville Jaguars’ Black alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesA plain t-shirt has more personality than these bores. Would a stripe somewhere hurt that bad?
#43 – Green Bay PAckers’ White Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s not that they look bad, it’s just that they don’t look like the Packers.
#42 – Philadelphia Eagles’ Black Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother uniform that’s not bad, but their regular green jerseys just look better.
Hitting the Snooze Button
#41 – Detroit Lions’ 1934 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesI mean…they do look like the Lions, just the most boring possible version of the Lions. I just can’t imagine these were all that sexy in 1934 either.
#40 – Houston Texans’ Navy “Deep Steel Blue” Color Rush
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The red numbers look kind of rad, but that’s about it.
#39 – Washington Commanders’ Gi-Joe Cosplay Black Alternates
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As awful as their new jerseys are, I actually don’t hate these as much as some. They have some really intricate military-themed (say what you want about that) detail with the barely-visible dark grey camo stripes and the lines above and below the nameplate. The golden numbers pop. It’s still kind of a mess, but at least it’s a fun mess.
#38 – San Francisco 49ers’ 1955 Red Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesStill not lovin’ the lack of gold. Still lovin’ the shadow on the numbers.
#37 – Cleveland Browns’ 1946 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThe drop shadow on the numbers doesn’t pop as much as the 49ers’ do. The helmet is great but doesn’t match the rest of the stripes. Deserves it’s spot in the middle of the pack.
#36 – New York Jets’ “New York Sack Exchange” Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the great mysteries of the early part of this decade is how the New York Jets developed a phobia to their own color. Like, why go with the white throwback jersey when you have an awesome green one sitting in the closet. The people deserve to know!
#35 – Chicago Bears’ Orange Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore the Jack-O-Lantern helmets came into being last year, these would have been much higher. The jerseys themselves are great. The whole package now…too much orange.
#34 – Denver Broncos’ Navy Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesMaybe it’s the memories of the Helicopter and 3 Super Bowl titles, but these have always looked good. While I prefer the orange jersey, the navy blue one is just dandy too.
#33 – Atlanta Falcons’ Fade-To-Red Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesHot take time: these get way too much hate. I think the gradient is actually kind of cool and doesn’t stand out in a jarring way. It still looks like a typical red jersey 99% of the time. These Falcons’ uniforms need a lot more red as it is, and it feels refreshing when these make an appearance.
#32 – Dallas Cowboys’ White Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesThe giant stars on the shoulders are a nice nod to the past and look great. Unlike the regular white threads, the colors actually match. Why are these so low? I honestly don’t know. They just don’t stand out a ton to me.
#31 – New York Giants’ White Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesPretty much a throwback to the 1990’s look, I just think these look a little empty with the all-white socks. Get some blue ones like the blue throwback and now we are cooking.
#30 – Indianapolis Colts’ 1956 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThey are a wee bit boring, but the striped socks alone push these up a couple of spots. The blue helmet version they sported a couple years back would make these stand out from their regular uniforms a lot more.
#29 – Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesI know I wasn’t around for the Steelers’ heydey when these graced the gridiron, but I actually prefer the current, rounded numbers to the basic block ones on this jersey. They just add more personality. These are nice regardless.
#28 – Cincinnati Bengals’ White Tiger Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother look I find overrated: the regular orange-and-black striped helmet is iconic and just better. The black-and-white stripes with just a hint of orange throughout looks good, not great. Also they look more like zebras than tigers, just sayin!
#27 – Buffalo Bills’ Red Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen these bad boys first came out, I loved them for the reason they were one of the only Color Rush looks to have striped socks. Just like how this season has gone for the Bills, they can’t ever have nice things and have since dumped them for plain jane red socks. I wish they would break out white pants one time with these – the all red can be a bit much after a while.
Let’s Ride
#26 – Pittsburgh Steelers’ Black Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesA really fun look for a night game. Keeping the same design but making it all black with yellow accents was inspired.
#25 – Atlanta Falcons’ 1966 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThat red helmet, with the subtle golden stripes flanking the rest of the pattern to rep’ Georgia Tech, is a thing of beauty. The old logo (which I did not realize was in an “F” shape for wayyyy too long) is dope. The rest of the uniform is kind of mid, keeping it in the mid-20’s.
#24 – Baltimore Ravens’ Purple Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesMan, how pretty are those golden numbers?! The stripes on the pants too – chef’s kiss! It may be a lot purple to look at, but my is it a beautiful look.
#23 – Las Vegas Raiders’ 1960’s Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThe silver numbers are awesome and should be a full-time thing on their white jerseys. Other than that, can’t go wrong with the Silver-And-Black.
#22 – Green Bay Packers’ 1953 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesI mean, it is a lot of green. But am I alone in finding something oddly appealing about these? Like they shouldn’t work, but they kind of do. I would never say they should be a permanent uniform again, but once or twice a year they hit the right notes.
#21 – Carolina Panthers’ “Process Blue” Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat an electric shade of blue! These just pop on the field; always have. The Panthers have mixed up the pants and socks combos with all the jerseys in recent years, but I think these show out best with silver or white pants and matching blue socks.
#20 – Baltimore Ravens’ Black Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesI’m not usually a fan of the all-black look, but the Ravens have always been an exception. Maybe it’s because ravens are black, or maybe it’s because of the purple trim: either way, these rule. They also work just as well with purple or white pants – just a well-rounded uniform.
#19 – Miami Dolphins’ 1966 White Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dolphin wearing a helmet of a dolphin wearing a helmet of a dolphin…logo is as rad as it is funny. The darker aqua and orange really pop, and the striping pattern really shows off the colors nicely. If I had to nitpick, it’s kind of weird how the numbers are filled in on the shoulders.
#18 – Houston Texans’ “Battle Red” Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesThese should have always been the home uniforms. In a division filled with blue jerseys, these have not been worn nearly enough. The red makes the design pop way more than the navy blue does.
#17 – Chicago Bears’ 1936 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThese made the top 20 just for those amazing, stripe-happy socks alone. The jersey turns these threads into a stripe bonanza, and I’m here for it. The Michigan-knockoff helmets only add the absurd fun.
Hang Them In the Louvre
#16 – New Orleans Saints’ White Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesThat gold. That sweet, copper-y shade of gold. New Orleans is really out there rocking khaki on there regular uniforms while sleeping on the rich, deep shade that just cooks on their alternates. The golden numbers outlined in black are the standout here. I also like the funky, fleur-de-lis-happy helmet they rock.
#15 – Dallas Cowboys’ 1960 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is a great throwback. The stars on the shoulders. The simplified design. Nothing wrong here. Always love seeing them on Thanksgiving.
#14 – Seattle Seahawks’ 1990’s Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesI already know I’m going to get some hate for putting these so low. Outside the inspired logo-inside-the-stripe on the sleeves, are these really that incredible? Don’t get me wrong: the royal blue looks great, the Totem-inspired logo is sweet, and the collar striping is lovely. I just think the green gets lost in the design, a problem that especially plagued the road version of these threads back in the day.
#13 – Seattle Seahawks’ Green Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesThe all-highlighter look can be a lot, but these slap when paired with navy pants. Not ashamed to admit it.
#12 – New York Giants’ 1990’s Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesFor some reason, the Giants’ shade of royal blue on these jerseys just pop more than the regular ones. Maybe it’s the red accents or the darker helmet? While they are very similar to the Bills’ uniforms, they look great in their own right.
#11 – Minnesota Vikings’ 1960’s Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesYellow outlines real make this jersey – on the stripes and the numbers. This is a really, really great look. I just wish they would also bring back the iconic away jerseys with the shoulder loops matching the pants.
#10 – Los Angeles Chargers’ Navy Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesThese would move up a couple of spots with a matching navy helmet. I love, love that the designers left the bolts outlined only; it makes a much better “night” uniform than whatever the Colts were trying.
“They Should Wear These Full Time!”
#9 – Arizona Cardinals’ Black Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesSurprised? I know this is a controversial pick, but hear me out. Those red numbers go hard. The 3-D-ish logo on a red-flaked black helmet is fire. The stripes really add to the look as well. Maybe these just look so good because their regular home and away jerseys suck so bad, but regardless they steal a Top 10 place.
#8 – New Orleans Saints’ 1967 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s almost embarrassing how much better these are than the regular kits. The deeper gold numbers, the pants matching the helmet, and those sweet, sweet striped socks. Just burn everything else and give these another ride in the limelight.
#7 – Philadelphia Eagles’ 1990’s Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesThat. Shade. Of. Kelly. Green. Hot dang is that jawn sexy! The full uniform is weirdly designed, going from all green on top to silver pants and white socks with stripes, but who cares. That green!
#6 – Los Angeles Chargers’ Royal BLue Color Rush
Embed from Getty ImagesI know what the headline is for this section, but these shouldn’t actually replace their amazing regular set. These are amazing in their own right, however, with the yellow color giving the bolts an “electrified” feel that the others jerseys don’t have.
#5 – Miami Dolphins’ 1966 Aqua Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesTake everything said about the white versions and just add more of that beautiful aqua color.
#4 – Cincinnati Bengals’ Orange Alternates
Embed from Getty ImagesNow these make the players look like tigers. When they bust out the black pants and orange socks to match, this might be favorite Bengals look ever. That orange shade is so nice and the tiger stripes not overdone.
The Podium
#3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 1976 Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesAh Bucco Bruce. Creamsicles. They were a meme before memes existed with how awful the team was during their original run, but as a throwback they are so much fun. Your milage may vary based on how you feel about lots of orange, but I am very much for it.
#2 – New England Patriots’ 1980’s Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesIf you want to be technical, navy blue is more Revolutionary War accurate. But there is something so charming about an angry-looking minuteman snapping a football on a helmet on top of a bright red jersey. It’s a great looking uniform – the shoulder loops on the jersey and I’ve always found it impressive that they managed to match the helmet, pants, and socks stripes. Yeah they won a gazillion Super Bowl’s in navy blue, but these look better. So there!
#1 – Tennessee Titans’ Oilers Throwbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesI admit I am not a Houstonian, but I find the argument about who gets to wear these beauties tiresome. It’s just a uniform! That said, this may be the best uniform in NFL history. The Luv Ya Blue. The red trim. The oil derrick on the helmet. It’s pure perfection. Seeing them in high definition for the first time just made it that much clearer: these are a cut above the rest. Wait, maybe I do get why two cities are fighting over these…
Some of the old throwbacks are fun to look at but in the Packers situation I would rather have Bart Starr Jim Taylor and the gang wearing them .
Sam Jarvis
Understandably so! They need Lombardi too…
Great job. Love the photos
Thanks! All credit to Getty Images.