Good Monday morning, Uni Watchers! I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend.
As you’re all likely aware, the NFL has made some policy changes with regard to alternate uniforms and helmets for 2025. Specifically, two big changes will be in play this fall, when not only will teams be permitted to wear their alternate uniforms four times (up from three), but they will also be allowed to wear alternate helmets with “primary” home and road jerseys, giving teams many more mix-and-match options.
The ability to pair alternate helmets with primary jerseys is something I had predicted a couple years ago, and this is actually a logical progression in the loosening of alternate uni/bucket policy.
When you couple these rules changes with the fact that all teams will be permitted to have a total of three shells beginning this fall, I can virtually guarantee we will have many heretofore never-worn combinations this coming season. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen, and obviously some teams will take advantage of the third shell while others will not. With that in mind, I have taken the liberty of creating a new alternate helmet for every NFL team ahead of any possible unveilings.
Some of these actually look pretty good (IMO), while others should never see the light of day. I’ve given several teams alternate white shells, since teams seem to be favoring the “Icy White” look but don’t have a white shell to complete the deal, while other teams will have additional color helmet options. I will not give any teams an alternate BFBS helmet, nor will I give any team a shell that is not one of their official colors.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS
This one is a no-brainer, and I could totally see the Bills (finally) adding a new red shell this season. Even though the team has pretty much ruled out new uniforms until the team moves into its new stadium in 2026, the red shell would not only give the Bills another option, they could add new decals and striping to create a throwback to their Super Bowl uniforms that fans have been clamoring for. I’d put the chances of this happening at 50% or greater.
SHOULD THEY? Yes!
In their entire history, the Dolphins have never worn anything but a white helmet, so this aqua alternate is highly unlikely to happen. I actually don’t hate how this could look, but I wouldn’t want to see Miami in anything but a white helmet. Still…
SHOULD THEY? No.
The Patriots already have a white shell, which they use for their Pat Patriot throwbacks, but I’d honestly LOVE to see them ditch their silver Flying Elvis hats for a white one. I say this even though the Pats finally began wearing their silver/gray pants with greater frequency last season. And while the team has never worn white pants with their current iteration of Flying Elvis, back in 2017 they did wear white pants for a Color Rush TNF game. If the Pats were to adopt my proposed white helmet (including the striping seen above), I’d hope they also introduce a set of matching white pants.
SHOULD THEY? Yes, but they need to add white pants as well.
The Jets already have three different color shells: green, black and white (which they use for their 1968 throwbacks), so they could “add” a new option by swapping decals from their throwbacks. Nothing would make me happier than for the team to completely ditch their BFBS alternates, but even if they don’t, the white shell would work very well with either of their current Sack Exchange primaries.
SHOULD THEY? Sure, why not.
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens took advantage of the second shell last season, when they unveiled a new purple helmet, which they were permitted only to pair with their CR uniform. But as we saw when they paired those helmets with their primary jerseys in practice, they’ll look good when they are permitted to wear them with their primaries this fall. So, the gold helmet I created above will likely never happen (and I’m not sure I’d even want it to exist), and I could see it going the way of their ill-fated gold pants if they lost while wearing it.
SHOULD THEY? No.
This could be a fun option — and it would certainly work well with their all-black uniforms. I mean, it would look really good!
SHOULD THEY? Absolutely!
I’m probably not alone in hoping the Browns — despite their name — never wear a brown helmet. That has nothing to do with all the excrement jokes it would engender (though they would certainly come fast and furious if the team adopted a brown topper). I honestly don’t even like the Browns in their fauxback white helmets — they should keep that orange shell with no decals on the side forever. It’s absolutely fine and the team should ditch any lids that aren’t orange.
SHOULD THEY? Hell NO!
This one is a no-brainer. They’ve worn this helmet previously (both with their regular uniforms for five weeks in 1962 and as a throwback), and it would integrate beautifully with any of their current uniforms. I’m genuinely surprised the team didn’t already bring it back as an option (although it would have had to be paired with their CR uniforms under the previous alternate shell policy). I’d love to see this paired with their primary black over gold unis.
SHOULD THEY? Yes.
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans also technically already have three shells, but since two of them are dark navy, they could add a white shell should they so choose. And though it never made it to the field, they could finally introduce the white shell which was going to be their original helmet back in 2002. Granted, the Texans unis are a complete mess since they introduced new uniforms last year, but they could make this work. I’m honestly not sure if their primary dark blue shell and their H-Town alternate shell are the same — but if they’re not, they could easily dump one of the two to add the white bucket. But it’ll take more than another alternate shell to save these unis.
SHOULD THEY? Does it matter?
If there ever were an obvious, slam-dunk alternate, this is it. They’ve worn blue shells before, both as regular helmets and as throwbacks (and they could use the blue alternate shell to recreate those throwbacks). Anything is better than the brutal black shells they introduced with their “Indiana Nights” alternate a couple years ago.
SHOULD THEY? Of course they should!
Yeah, this is gonna be a “NO” from me, dawg. I was fine with the Jaguars introducing an alternate white shell last year (and thankfully they can pair it with a primary jersey this time around), but a teal helmet is a bridge too far. With the talk of the team possibly moving their “Prowler” throwbacks to primary status (and adding a white road jersey), they should stick to black helmets for now (and the occasional white alt).
SHOULD THEY? No. Never.
Since the Titans decided to unceremoniously ditch their Oilers throwbacks, they have a white shell just collecting dust now. So what better way to revive it than to make it a white Titans helmet (which would be pretty similar to their previous white helmet). Hell, they could even do a throwback to the previous generation of uniforms if they so choose, especially seeing as how they’re done trolling the good folks of Houston. I never liked the Titans’ navy blue helmet, but I do think the white alternate could work well with several different combos.
SHOULD THEY? Make it happen, Cap’n.
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS
The Broncos are already at their three-shell limit (navy, royal, white), so I’m giving them a pass here. If I were to create an alternate, it would likely be an orange shell. Ideally, I’d love them to add an orange shell and dump the white one.
I don’t expect the Chiefs to be introducing any alternate (uniforms or helmets) any time soon, but if Kansas City were to introduce a new color shell, white would be the most logical choice. But the team has never had an alternate — even their “Color Rush” uniforms were just pairing all their red elements — and I don’t expect to see any. But I think a white shell would work well with their current uniforms.
SHOULD THEY? Yes. Will they? No.
This one is about as likely as the Chiefs adding a new shell. Which is to say, the probability of such is somewhere less than zero. But at least the Raiders did originally wear a black helmet back in their early AFL days. But the team switched to the more familiar silver shell under Al Davis, and they’ve never looked back. And as long as the Davis family continues to own the team, I don’t see them ever changing or even adding any alternates.
SHOULD THEY? Nah.
This helmet would not only pair very well with the team’s dark navy uniforms, it’s almost a given that the team will introduce this very same helmet later this year. We know the Chargers will be getting new helmets in 2025, and they’ve already basically leaked it. So, I’d give this one about a 99% chance of happening.
SHOULD THEY? Yes.
What do you guys think? Do you like any of these proposed alternate shells? Which ones? Any that you absolutely hate? And if you have a different idea for an alternate shell for any of the above teams, what would it be?
Fire away!
If I’m not mistaken, Houston’s alternate is a different shell: dark blue with red glitter mixed in.
Yeah, that’s gotta go.
GTGFTS
Cubs vs KC, May 31, 2015. Cubs (chicago Whales) 2 KC (Packers) 1
If the Jets are going to do another white-shell alternate it should be the 1963 version with the single stripe and jet-plane decal. Except that those were worn with the 1963-77 jersey style (and 1963-67 numeral font), so maybe wear those once with the 1968 throwback unis in place of the 1968/’98 hybrid throwback helmet.
I don’t think the current primaries should be worn with a white helmet. That said, if they are, with a green version of the current primary wordmark, they should have either a single or double center stripe.
^^^This, totally. I always liked the jet plane white helmet (although some think it looks like something a child drew – I see that as it’s charm) and would love to see it with their current set. It would be really cool with the throw back set, although that’s evidently not allowed just yet.
GTGFTU (emphasis on G): 12/16/1972
Orange Bowl, Miami, FL
Dolphins 16, Colts 0
Johnny Unitas’s last game in a Colts uniform.
You’re going to make Jimmy very happy, Jay.
I was wrong Phil! since there was no other team in the photo, I thought no one would get it, but leave it up to Uni Watch readers to figure out that background.
Good Guess!
Why I agree: It looks like the Orange Bowl with the structure and the Aqua colors in the crowd, Havrilak #17, Unitas #19, Mike Curtis #32 and Jerry Logan #20 and it looks like Lydell Mitchell were together in ’72
Why I don’t agree: Why are they smiling?
It was before the game.
Even afterwards, there’s a whole range of emotions people can go through. Just because they were eliminated and shut out, doesn’t mean they have to spend every moment looking downtrodden.
I can tell you Mike Johnny Unitas wasn’t smiling after losing to Washington 38-0 in 1973. When I went up to him, I actually thought he was crying, but when he took his hands away, he wasn’t, just very- very down. I even asked my father who was standing a few feet away talking to some Charger’s players what was wrong with Unitas, why was he so much more down than everyone else, and my father said he knows it’s over Jimbo, he can’t play anymore, his career is over.
100% confirmed according to Getty images:
link
Look at this! we even get confirmation this was before the game started from Eric, that’s why Johnny U is all smiles. He probably thinks they will give the Dolphins their only loss of the season.
Nice job Graf! you saw the Orange Bowl and figured it out. I met Unitas nine months later after losing to Washington 38-0. I got his autograph but almost fifty-two years later I can still see that defeat in his face
The yellow steelers would be awesome. I think a blue Buffalo Bills helmet would look as good as the red.
No more white helmets there are already soo tired and bland. The Jaguars would look good in a gold helmet similar to SF. The aqua Dolphins would be a welcome change as well.
Agree with this insight.
If the Jags ever get a 3rd shell, they should salvage the only good thing to come out of the 2009-12 unis: the *tasteful* color-shift black/blue helmet
The Jags should add a gold shell not teal.
Agreeance.
I’m probably preaching to the converted, but a hard no on pretty much all of these… other than the Bills in red and Steelers in yellow – but due to the historic nature of these.
I would love to see the Pats do a reconciliation between red/white and navy/silver though. My preference would be to insert a red alt into the current set rather than this approach of blue with the white (as a bit Bills/Colts) but either would work and sew the 2 eras together a bit more.
I like the Pats white option (as Phil said, with white pants please), but I have always hated the Bills’ red lids. That’s a no for me.
never understood the bills red love as a bills fan. doesn’t look particulalry good with complementing the uni. if it’s red on red, then i suppose that works, otherwise i think white or blue do better
Isn’t the Steelers already planning on coming out with an alternate helmet this year? There have been multiple news stories about it.
And alas, the Browns are coming out with a third shell, too.
It would be nice if the Lions had a throwback uniform in their wardrobe, or at the very least a retro helmet.
The Lions actually do have a throwback look, they just never wore it in 2024. They usually wear it on Thanksgiving
Some of my thoughts:
-Dolphins should make an updated version of their unused helmet from 1997
-Teal helmets would look really good on Jacksonville. When it was first rumored that the Jags would get a new helmet last year, I was hoping for either teal or the 2009-12 black/teal
-I like the idea of the Colts wearing blue helmets, just make the facemask white. While we’re at it, make the facemask on their white helmets blue. I’m not a fan of gray facemasks unless it’s with a silver helmet
-Yes to the brown Browns helmet, but with an orange facemask. And bring back the brown facemasks full time on the orange helmets
-I don’t know why, but I think the Patriots wearing navy helmets would be cool
-Raiders with a black helmet is a yes from me. Add in black pants and call it the Black Hole look, as a way to honor the fans
Bills: Should they? Yes, but preferably with the ’94 white standing bison.
Dolphins: maybe.
Bengals: no.
Browns: yes. It would be a real (Hershey’s) chef’s kiss.
Texans: yes. That’s the only Houston team where a white helmet is an upgrade.
Jags: absolutely.
Titans: best left in the past. No.
Chiefs: ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Chargers: stealth lightning? Fill in the bolt and come back to me.
Everything else: agreed.
Jaguars is the only one I like.
there’s already too many alternate helmets. when will teams realize that alternate uniforms don’t always need a mono helmet/jersey look! 90% of the time they would look wayyy better with normal helmets
I think the only ones here that would look good are the Bills and Titans. the rest can leave it be (and maybe cut down on the ones they already have)
Since there are no teal helmets in the league, I would love to see this being the main helmet for Jax.
I’m ok with the Browns doing a brown helmet…if they do the faux leather look that Illinois had last year.
For the Browns that would be a no. No turd err third shell needed.
For the Bills yes to a blue shell with a white buffalo. ( AKA the Great White Buffalo)
The Dolphins aqua helmet wouldn’t work because the logo gets lost on it. However, the teal Jags helmet would be a good look. I would love to see that one mocked up! Most of the others are fails except maybe the Steelers and Colts (albeit with a white facemask please).
Kansas City should go with a yellow helmet. If done right and worn with the right uniform combo, it could look quite nice. They also should add a yellow alternate jersey. Perhaps try it for just one season to how it looks and what the reaction is to it. I feel it would receive a highly positive reaction from the Chiefs Kingdom.
I would also like Jacksonville to bring back the color gradient helmet. I know I’m definitely in the minority on this, but I really, really, really like that helmet!!!
I like the way most of these ideas look in general, but a few of them need different logos or possibly a different color.
With the Titans, I would absolutely ditch that hideous flaming thumb tack forever and go with the 3 Star symbol of the state of Tennessee on the blue helmet. Plus, the need to ditch slapped together look of the present jerseys, they just drive me insane!!!
Buffalo=New logo needed.
Miami=like the aqua, just needs a couple changes tobetter highlight the logo. Or possibly try an orange helmet.
Jets=different logo. The flying Jet logo or the oval football logo.
Patriots=I hate, detest and abhor the flying Elvis logo. Always have, always will. That being said, there is only one option…….Pat Patriot!!! New England would lose their collective shit over this!!! Do it NOW Robert Kraft!!!
Cleveland = that is the hardest nope in history for me, dawg. Don’t do it!!!
Baltimore = “Retching”. Worse than, “retching”, the mustard pants. “Retching”, NO!!! NEVERMORE!!!
Pittsburgh = it’s fine no issues.
Cincinnati = no, bc the stripes are to thick and overwhelming. They just make the helmet look heavier.
Colts = yes, please. Just with subtle changes mentioned by a previous commenter.
Denver = the need to ditch ever uniform that they have currently and go back the Orange Crush uniforms permanently!!! That’s all for Denver.
Chargers = NO!!! It looks horrid. It’s too dark. Even the little bit of yellow/gold is hard to see on it. Just stick with the beautiful helmets you already have.
I know I probably missed a couple and I’m sorry for that. Hope to see a few reactions, agreements, disagreements, or whatever!!!!
Nice article. I would certainly take Buffalo in red, Pats in white. Titans white, Colts blue, and Chargers navy are fine.
The AFC North I would find hardest to accept. Steelers in yellow seems generally popular, but I really like them better in black. I like Baltimore better when they lean heavily into the dark gothic, so I wouldn’t want to see them in gold; maybe matte black. Cleveland I would like to see some sort of khaki alternate, so maybe that extends to the helmet like their white alts.
Jacksonville should do a gold helmet with the head logo and no stripes. Of course I want to see Houston in baby blue.
Broncos adding an orange shell might start to feel dangerously Syracuse-y, in my opinion. Steelers yellow shell and Bills red are must-haves!
I’ll do this in the order of presentation.
Bills – like the red, but only with the red or white jersey, not the blue.
Dolphins – HELL NO!
Patriots – no
Jets – no
Ravens – HELL NO!
Bengals – no
Browns – HELL NO!
Steelers – Absolutely!
Texans – No, uniforms are way too ratchet and need serious work before worrying about another helmet.
Colts – Absolutely, but with a white facemask.
Jaguars – HELL NO!
Titans – No, keep that in the past.
Chiefs – Ain’t happenin’
Raiders – Ain’t happenin’
Chargers – Really???