NFL Alternate Uniform Rankings

Sometimes, the look just has to stay in the closet.

The Giants’ Century Red uniform is a cluttered array of blue and red that doesn’t have any cohesion. The helmet and jersey don’t match well, but the tan pants are the true sin — especially for some of the Giants’ fairer-skinned players. The Giants’ other throwback look is profoundly better than this one, making the “Century Reds” all the more irrelevant.

Here’s hoping it’s another century before Big Blue dons this look again. Now to the real rankings.

N.A. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kingdom has never rocked an alternate uniform in the history of the franchise, so there is nothing to rank.

31. Rams ‘Bone’ Alternates

This look is just fine, but it’s a very odd choice to use a ‘bone’ shade of off-white as the primary color of your alternates. It is by far not the worst look on the list, but the lack of creativity caps its ranking. One can’t help but be reminded that the Rams’ current iteration of their uniform is completely dwarfed by their classic look that came before. It would make so much sense to make those their alternates (or just the main set). Alas, eggshell is what we get.

30. Texans “H-Town”

Teams have unveiled several new original alternate looks in the last couple of years, and this has to be among the most disappointing.

The look is overall dull with some odd choices. The light blue on red numbers on the navy backdrop just doesn’t quite work together, and doesn’t pop on the field like they did in the photo shoots for the rollout. The ‘H’ on the helmet doesn’t look that great, for similar reasons. Good ideas, just poor execution. It’s an admirable try for an original jersey, but another team further down the list does the light blue and red a lot better.

29. Steelers “1933 Throwback”

The Steelers unveiled their new throwback alternates in a photoshoot set in an old steel mill. Unfortunately, the steel mill is the coolest thing about them.

There is a good uniform in there — somewhere. The throwbacks, coming all the way from 1933, contain a matte yellow helmet, striped jerseys true to their 1933 design, and the city crest on the shoulder. The yellow and black lines are too busy, but the crest is a super neat addition, and the helmet looks excellent. It’s just a somewhat cluttered look that is brought down even more by the awful tan pants. While they are true to the original 1933 uniform, they look hideous.

Stop trying to make tan pants work. Stop it.

28. Chicago Bears All-Orange Alternates

For a total orange look, it’s less gaudy than you’d think. While a secondary color swap is not all that novel of an alternate idea, the sheer orange-ness of it is a little overwhelming. The orange socks are a nice touch, and the white pants are a better option than the blue. It’s just a LOT of orange, and there are better alternate uniforms in the league.

27. Panthers Black-Out Alternates

Along the same lines as the Bears, the Panthers’ look is just their home uniform with a matte black helmet. The helmet is sharp, and the logo looks great on it. Still, it’s a basic alternate that lacks that special feeling alternates should give. The Panthers’ main jersey set is also somewhat outdated, which holds the look back. It’s safe but forgettable.

26. Jets “The Classic”

Here is where the alternates stop being unattractive and we start to see noticeable improvement.

‘The Classic” edition of the Jets uniform is just fine; it’s the timing that is so strange. They updated and redesigned their main set of jerseys in 2019, not all that long ago. That look was short-lived, as they made their throwbacks their main set in 2024. It was a great decision (more teams should take note), and their current ones look wonderful. But can you really call your alternates “The Classic” and a pseudo-throwback if you went away from them just five years ago? It’s funny to call them classic when we all remember you wearing them and redesigning them recently. The jerseys are okay, but the timing (or marketing, perhaps) is suspect.

25. Saints Black Helmet-Soft Golds Alternates

Out of all the Saints’ different looks, this is the most ‘mid’.

Black and gold is a very hard color combo to mess up, so they’ll always have that going for them. The soft gold tops are probably the best thing about these. The other pieces aren’t all that exciting, though, especially compared to the rest of their collection. There are essentially no accents around the uniform, and the alternate black helmet is also pretty bland.

It’s odd that this is the alternate NOLA chose to reveal. The team unveiled a new alternate white helmet this offseason that is actually clean and would be a perfect complement to other Saints’ uniforms.

24. Arizona Cardinals Black Alternates

The modern Cardinals uniforms are an improvement over their old ones, and all-black is about as safe a look as a team can have. These are no different. The black helmet with red logo is sleek. The red and silver sleeves break up the unis in a good way.

Still, there isn’t much here to get excited about. There’s just too much black and not enough color breaking it up. A little more creativity regarding the coloring and base jersey design would’ve brought these to a different place.

23. Browns “Alpha Dawg”

The Browns can’t even unveil a new alternate uniform without inviting jokes at their expense.

Despite a poor sponsorship choice and a photographer who went overboard into Lake Erie, the Browns’ new “Alpha Dawg” uniforms look pretty good —  but nothing special. The orange numbers on a brown background look clean, and the matte helmet was a good choice, but it comes off as plain. Maybe adding more orange accents would’ve helped, or putting a logo on the helmet to break from tradition.

It’s hard to truly buy into these when their previous ‘white-out’ set is phenomenal. Those accomplish what the ‘Alpha Dawg’ hopes to in a more complete way. The brown feels like a step down compared to the white. Either way, the look is far from ugly, which is more than some teams can say.

22. Lions “Motor City Muscle”

The Lions’ alternate jersey is heavily bolstered by their amazing shade of blue. Fun fact, the color is called “Honolulu Blue”, made specifically for the Lions by request of their first owner, G.A. Richards, after he took a trip to Hawaii and was captured by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. The more you know.

Blues aside, the uniform is just a blackout of the original uniform. Credit for the blue helmet, but the Lions have also already worn a black jersey before. That one had less black and more silver, but this seems to be a rendition of the “Motor City Muscle”. The blue is great, but it’s overall just okay.

21. Ravens “Purple Rising”

Baltimore’s alternate is pretty underwhelming. The all-purple with gold numbers looks awesome, but the helmet is lacking, which is the whole point of the uniform. The helmet makes the uniforms too purple. The gold face mask is slick, but the sheer amount of purple is overwhelming. The raven head logo isn’t too great either and comes off clunky.

The core of the uniform makes sense on paper, but when actually put together misses the mark. Purple is a fantastic color on football uniforms, just not the entire uniform.

20. Bills Red Helmet Alternates

The Bills released a new red helmet that will bring about a modernized version of their early-2000s unis. Simply put, these matched the hype. The royal blue contrasts great with the red, and the overall design of the uniform enhances the template from the 2000s. The logo looks great on it, and the white face mask pops. This helmet might do the most heavy lifting of any in the league.

Still, it is just a helmet change, and thus caps the overall ranking.

19. Giants Classic Throwbacks

That’s better. If the Giants are going to rock a throwback, this is the right one.

There’s so much to love about this uniform. The ‘Giants’ script along the helmet, the bright blue and red, the numbers, the two shades of blue, the white face masks, it’s all there. This is THE Giants uniform.

While it’s not the best throwback in the league, it’s a very solid uniform. The bright blue of the jersey and the construction of the helmet are its best traits. Some might find the clashing blues of the helmet and uniform too jarring, but overall, this uniform is incredibly solid.

18. Commanders “Super Bowl Era”

The return of the classics is a great reminder of how subpar the Commanders’ current uniforms are.

The numbers are better. The helmet is better. The brighter maroon is better. The blocky numbers are better than both the gradient numbers and the segmented ones. The yellow and white leg stripes are an improvement on the current pants, which have none.

The yellow face mask is a small change but makes a major difference. It’s a mystery that the current set does not include them. The reflective finish looks better than the matte, and the bulky helmet stripes fit much better than the single thin ones on the current.

Washington’s ‘Super Bowl Era’ uniforms remind us all that an ultramodern design is often not needed.

17. Cowboys “Arctic Cowboys”

Dallas has some of the most iconic uniforms in professional sports, so alternates are often seen as unnecessary. The ‘Arctic Cowboys’ buck the trend.

The white helmet looks much better than you would expect. The blue contrasts with the white backing and makes the overall design pop. This is true for the helmet, pants, and the whole uniform. They also look amazing on the field. The alternates might not be as iconic as the traditional set, but they have much more synergy. There’s something to be said for that.

They’re not as flashy or as historic as others on the list, but they’re clean, slick, and a sleeper of an alternate.

16. Chargers “Charger Power” and “Super Chargers”

The Chargers unveiled two new alternates for 2025, so they’re being ranked together.

The ‘Charger Power’ set is an all-yellow edition of their current main jerseys. While it’s understandable and very normal for teams to lean into their secondary colors for their alternates, the yellow is a tough look. Especially when the whole thing is yellow. Maybe it’s the Chargers’ specific shade of yellow, but they just don’t work.

The “Super Chargers,” on the other hand, are wicked. Essentially just a throwback to their 2000s-era San Diego days, the all navy looks great. The white numbers with gold outline pop against the navy backing, just like they did back then, and adding the numbers to the helmets is just so good. Sure, they’re helped by some nostalgia points, but the look itself has so much swag that it can stand on its own. They shouldn’t go back to these fully, but as an alternate, they’re top-notch.

One nitpick is that putting the old ‘Chargers’ wordmark above the numbers and below the NFL shield would’ve elevated this look even more.

Ranking these gets tricky. On one hand, the ‘Super Chargers’ are excellent and would rank highly. On the other hand, the ‘Charger Power’ is gaudy and would rank lower. So, we’ll split the baby and place it in the middle.

15. Packers “1923 Throwbacks”

Are these somewhat cheating off of Illinois University’s homework? Probably. Do they still look awesome? Yes.

If the uniforms are a means to get the helmet onto an NFL field, it’s hard not to be on board. The helmets look incredible, and fit the Packers so well. The Packers are arguably the NFL’s most historic and iconic franchise. Lambeau is the Smithsonian of football, a temple to the gridiron. These uniforms are right for Green Bay.

The navy blue and brownish-gold complement each other well, and the simplicity of the design is a plus. It all comes back to the helmet, though. The design is amazing and as good a recreation as there can be. Sure, they are VERY close to Illinois’, like too close to ignore…but Nike makes both of them, so who are we to criticize?

14. Vikings “Winter Warrior”

Here is where we go up a level. The remaining uniforms are all sharp.

The Vikings have never had a bad uniform since their redesign in 2013. Their template is a contender for best in the league, and their font is the best the league has to offer. That consistency isn’t lost on the ‘Winter Warrior’.

A white-out version of the Vikings’ uniforms is a very safe bet and still works extremely well. The silver accents around the numbers and helmet horn are a great choice, and the purple numbers being the main pop of color look slick.

There isn’t much to complain about here. There’s only one (and a half) white-out that’s better than it.

13. Patriots “Patriot Pat”

A common trend going forward on this list will be that the throwbacks rank highly. This isn’t due to nostalgia or a hatred of modern design. The truth is that they just had it figured out back then.

The Patriots are not an exception. The ‘Pat Patriot’ unis are more lively than the current set, and less derivative of the ‘Brady Era’ unis. The red is broken up by the stripes, and the blue accents enhance the color scheme. The shoulder stripes, which look pretty rough on the current set, fit much more naturally on the throwbacks. The striping on the helmet, socks, jersey and pants alleviates the plainness of the current look. The current set is just so dull that the throwbacks bring some much-needed visual business.

The helmet is also top-notch, thanks to the incredible ‘Pat Patriot’ logo. It’s such a fun design that brings the silliness of old sports logos while also fitting on modern jerseys. The main Patriots logo is amazing, but this is a fun secondary, especially for a throwback.

The current set isn’t bad, just underwhelming. There isn’t enough visually to latch on to like the ‘Brady Era’, and they don’t represent the Patriots brand and colonial imagery as well as the throwbacks do.

12. 49ers “‘94 Throwbacks”

The Niners throwbacks are an example of a small change going a long way. The only difference between their main unis and their throwbacks is the numbers and shade of red.

The blocky white numbers on a black backdrop look amazing against the red. The red itself is also slightly darker than the main set. The team already has one of the best uniforms in the league, and has since its inception, so not a lot of work needs to be done. The black of the numbers and the stripe on the pants give the look an edge, aside from its vintage allure. Add in the classic gold helmet, and these are something special.

Now all we need are the Steve Young era throwbacks, and we’ll be off and running.

11. Falcons Red Helmet Throwbacks

Like the 49ers, there isn’t much to say about these other than the simplicity makes it incredibly appealing.

The red helmet on black jersey is so good that it’s a shock more teams don’t try it. These fall victim to a slight amount of ‘Nostalgia Bait’, with Deion Sanders and Mike Vick’s iconography being somewhat attached. Still, they’re great. The red bounces off the black, and the white pants balance out the full kit, drawing the eye to the top of the uniform. The block numbers are also right for this jersey.

The logo is great, too. It has a rawness that most logos don’t. The current one is fantastic and definitely better, but the old one has that awkwardness to it that makes it unique. It looks like it was drawn in one try with no polishing, and that’s a good thing for a throwback.

These are timeless, iconic, and the best use of black and red in the league.

10. Jaguars “Prowler”

The Jags have always seemed to squander their potential regarding their uniform and branding. The ‘Prowler’ throwbacks finally hit the mark. The Prowlers strike the balance between simplicity and complexity that the team has been trying to recreate ever since moving away from them. Jacksonville tried to fix what wasn’t broken.

The main issue with the current set is that they look WAY too much like practice uniforms. The ‘Prowlers’ stand on their own merit, but look especially crisp in comparison to their main set.

Teal, gold, and black are a great combo. The jaguar on the sleeves is a great touch. Side note: More teams should put the secondary logo on the sleeves.

The stripes down the pants are a good detail and help break up the colors. The numbers add just the right amount of complexity and stand out among other teams’ uniforms. Three-color numbers are not too common, so it sets Jacksonville apart from other alternates.

Jax’s ‘Prowlers’ are one of the few unis that can look right at home in both the 2020s and 90s without it being jarring.

9. Seahawks Throwbacks

Noticing a pattern yet?

The silver and blue color scheme with bright green accents is so awesome. It makes a strong case for the GOAT color palette. The silver helmet is also a stroke of genius, not to mention the blue face masks. The throwback logo is sweet and fits great on the shoulders. These are just right for Seattle’s team and fit the mold of other Seattle pro sports teams.

A vintage take on a classic color scheme. You honestly can’t go wrong with these.

8. Bengals “White Bengal”

These are somewhat divisive. Depending on the version, you could be looking at two different uniforms. Orange helmet, or white? Standard orange-border numbers, or black block numbers? The 2024 version had its primary numbers with an orange border and white helmet, so those are what we’ll go with.

And they look awesome. The black tiger stripes on white backing are sharp. The stripes’ presence on the helmet, jersey, and pants adds uniformity to the design, too. Sure, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase could look good in anything, but the ‘White Bengal’ pulls its weight.

It’s also so rad that the Bengals (and fans) dress the field to match the uniforms. Buying into the theme will always be cool, especially if it’s for an alternate rather than a throwback.

7. Raiders Color Rush

A few white-outs have made their way through the list, but these are the standard.

The Raiders’ uniforms have remained relatively unchanged since 1964. Having perfect uniforms is one thing, but knowing when you’ve got something good is another. In an era of constant redesigns and modernization, iconic and unchanged branding is a luxury. Think the Yankees, the Celtics, etc. The Raiders are in that tier of franchise (branding-wise). The Raiders, no matter the location, ARE the silver and black.

Unless they’re just silver, in which case they look just as good, if not better. The black borders around the silver numbers are perfect. That’s it. No notes. Now all they need is a blackout, and we’ve truly reached the mountaintop. Another fun fact, the color rushes are also technically a throwback.

6. Colts “Indiana Nights”

The most recent alternates have not gotten much love so far. The Colts’ new ‘Indiana Nights’ are a different story.

There is so much to love about this uniform. The colors pop against the background, and they have a great-looking font. The blue is deep and rich, with subtle speckles of white that complement the blue perfectly. The speckles also complete the theme of Indiana Nights. The same is true for the unreflective black helmets that match the theme and balance out the blue.

The ‘C’ logo on the right shoulder is also such a fantastic addition. It’s an amazing logo that incorporates the state outline, further adding to the theme. The look is so tonally and thematically consistent, and employs the speckled blue phenomenally. This uni is also one of the few that looks better on the field than in the photoshoot.

Overall, they accomplish what all alternates should set out to do.

5. Eagles “Kelly Green”

The top five are all perfect uniforms, alternates or not. Anyone has a legitimate shot to be considered the best.

The Kelly Greens belong here; they’re one of the best uniforms out there. The titular shade of Kelly Green is bright and bold and so pleasing to look at. The silver wings on the helmets are great, the socks are great, the eagle on the shoulder is great, and the overall look is simple and effective. There truly isn’t much to criticize here. Grey is a great pants choice — better than white or all green. They look like they were ripped right out of the ’80s and ’90s.

4. Buccaneers “’76 Throwbacks”

If you’re sick of the throwback agenda by now, this ranking might not be for you.

The Buccaneers have never really had bad uniforms. Hot Take: even the ‘Alarm Clock Numbers‘ ones from the late 2010s weren’t all THAT bad. All their looks have been consistently elite. You just can’t beat the classics, though.

The Buccaneers released an ‘away’ edition of their “Creamsicle” throwback unis, so that’s the one we’re going to rank. And you know what? It’s just as terrific as the home ones. The pirate logo on the helmet is amazing, and perfectly suits these uniforms. The all-white was also a wise choice, since it makes the soft orange numbers pop more.

The Creamsicles embody the vintage look that all throwbacks should aspire to. They are, without doubt, a product of the 70s, in the best way.

3. Titans “Houston Oilers” Throwbacks

Despite the low-stakes controversy surrounding whose throwbacks these really are, the Oilers’ uniforms are just about perfect.

Baby blue and red is a color scheme that can’t be beat. It’s incorporated perfectly, in just the right places. The helmet stripes, the face-masks, the jersey, all of it. While not all that technically impressive or intricate, the uniforms are just so sharp. Colorful, but not gaudy. Simple, but not boring. And that Oilers logo couldn’t be better.

Another example of a look being plucked out of an era, teams have been trying to recreate the baby blue and red magic ever since.

2. Broncos “1977” / “Orange Crush” Throwbacks

It’s not hyperbole to call these uniforms beautiful.

Everything complements everything else. The royal blue matches Denver’s signature bright orange brilliantly. Denver has always been the headquarters of orange in the NFL, and these uniforms bring the best out of it.

The helmet is amazing, anchored by the signature ‘D’ logo. The oversized numbers look incredible, and the socks are the best out there. Another incredible thing about the design is that there is quite a lot of white throughout. This helps make the orange and blue more pronounced, while also keeping them from being overwhelming. And the socks are just so fantastic, they have no right to be that good.

The Broncos’ throwbacks are so good that it kind of backfired for the team. An update to the main set of uniforms was needed, and so the team finally unveiled a redesigned collection of uniforms for the team after much speculation. They turned out pretty good and were a suitable redesign. However, as soon as the team revealed the throwbacks and their return, Broncos fans and the broader football community immediately recognized the throwbacks’ appeal. They clamored for them to be the main uniforms, and the redesigned set was immediately overshadowed and eclipsed by the ‘Orange Crush’.

The alternates looked even better on the field than in the photoshoot. While they almost certainly will not overtake the current collection as the team’s primary uniforms anytime soon, it’s undeniable that Denver’s throwbacks are iconic as any.

1. Dolphins Throwbacks

Out of all the numerous incredible NFL alternate uniforms, both in the present and the past, the Miami Dolphins throwbacks are the gold standard. Arguments could be made for a few different ones, but the Dolphins throwbacks have that special something.

The throwbacks marry everything an NFL and alternate uniform should. They represent a classic era of football and incorporate the city and beaches of Miami into the look. The dark aqua is one of the most gorgeous colors a team has had on a uniform, and pays homage to the water on Miami’s beaches. It’s also a much better shade compared to their current, brighter version. The orange does the same for the Miami and South Florida sun, and is a great compliment to the aqua blue-green.

The design elements are amazing, too. Thick stripes give the vintage look. The old logo is iconic and complements the style. The sun around the dolphin is a great touch, and the little helmet on the dolphin shouldn’t be ignored either. The uniform takes tried and true football uniform concepts and adapts them excellently. Ultimately, an NFL uniform should be both pleasing to look at and represent the team well. Miami does both better than any.

They looked great then, and they look great now. The aqua blue is timeless and makes any player look cool. If that’s not the perfect uniform, who knows what is.