For nearly a decade, we were stuck in a dimension where NFL throwback helmets barely existed.A 2013 league rule limiting teams to a single primary helmet meant designs like Pat Patriot or the Steelers’ yellow lids had to be mothballed. That changed in 2022, allowing nature to heal in the form of old school appearances and new, bold ventures into unique colors and designs. The majority of the NFL’s 32 teams have added an alternate helmet in the years since, with teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants jumping into the mix this fall.And, because it’s July and we’re still a month away from even exhibition football, it’s time to wade into a subjective argument about which ones are best.For this ranking, I’m only using recent alternate helmet designs — so while the throwbacks of the 1990s have merit, I’m only going to try and run with things we’re liable to see on the field this fall or beyond. And here’s where I’ll mention the obscene helpfulness of the Gridiron Uniform Database, which is invaluable for sparking stupid debates like the 32 I’m set to wade into.Let’s talk best extra helmets, from bold shots that debuted to universal acclaim and others that just sorta exist. And remember, this is all subjective and my forte is quarterback value, not fashion, so it’s entirely possible I am very, very wrong.

Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs have barely changed their uniforms in the last six decades. They’re not about to mess with helmets.

Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) signals a first down against the New York Jets during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium.
Mark Davis’ leadership leaves much to be desired, but he’s smart enough to know not to mess with his franchise’s iconic look.

Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
The Niners have worn the same helmet design for 61 years now.

Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium.
A bad look made worse by the fact it’s only ever been worn with the team’s way-too-orange alternate jerseys. Facing the Bears in these would be like being slowly suffocated under a pile of neglected Halloween decorations.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) rushes for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during their football game Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Look, any attempt to futurize the Packers’ classic “G” is going to be met with scorn and resistance. This is a franchise that looks back to its roots rather than the years to come. Unless we’re talking about drafting quarterbacks. If nothing else, these are better than the doo-doo brown the team’s previously worn with its otherwise great throwbacks.

Running back DeMarco Murray (29), in action against Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville on Oct. 27, was the Tennessee Titans’ leading rusher for 2016 with 1,287 yards on 293 carries with 9 rushing touchdowns.
The Jaguars have resisted the temptation to introduce a new alternate since the league’s rules on helmets was changed before the 2022 season. Which is wild considering just how many uniform variants they’ve had the past decade. They haven’t worn these since 2017, when they were the team’s primary hats. So that makes their inclusion here a bit of a cheat. Due to this circumstance, excuses them from last place even though Jacksonville once considered this a good idea: via https://www.gridiron-uniforms.com/GUD/controller/controller.php?action=teams-season&team_id=JAX&year=2016

Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) passes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at FedExField.
A simple look would have worked here. Or maybe even just matching the facemask to the yellow in the numbers. Instead, there’s just slightly too much going on for this to be a great look, whether that’s the white panel over the visor, the “W” in the front or the bars toward the back.

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Ford Field.
Most throwbacks default to a simpler design than the current kits. Not these. Why is the Lion so long?

Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The beauty of the Saints’ immaculate uniforms is their simplicity. I’m not sure why they felt this helmet needed a thick gold stripe of tinier fleur-de-lis down the center of the helmet, especially when they just look like polka dots or misplaced mesh from anywhere beyond three feet away. via nfl.com/giants

Back around the advent of the forward pass, it was both cool and easy to make football helmets look like giant eyelashes. These aren’t bad, but they are vastly inferior to the underlined “GIANTS” or “NY” that New York could wear instead. The Giants swapped out incredible 80s throwbacks to look like the University of Michigan and the Montreal Canadiens had a regretful hookup one night.

A pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) goes incomplete Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The helmets were not the problem with the Indiana Nights theme. Ripping off an idea from Tom Petty’s eighth-best song and chopping up some of the league’s best home uniforms was.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) hands the ball off to Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon (27) on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The back-U throwback is roughly as boring as an *actual* Indiana night.

December 8, 2011; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at Heinz Field.
I had to go back to 2011 for this, which stretches the reach of the “recently worn” rule but doesn’t break it. Pittsburgh wore yellow helmets early in its existence and into the 1960s. This still feels wrong, however.

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates his first down run against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium.
It’s a little basic, but it works as part of a blackout kit.

Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) with the ball in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
It’s minimalist, but it works. And Carolina is 2-0 while wearing it and 7-25 without it since its inception.

via BaltimoreRavens.com
The Ravens don’t change things up often, and a purple helmet is a big switch. The gold stripes down the middle are a nice touch. I’m nonplussed by the front-facing raven, however. It looks like he just told a joke and is waiting for you to laugh.

via houstontexans.com
The Texans are dropping two new alternate helmets on the NFL in 2024 and had worn a red variant each of the last two seasons. It’s still too early to say what they’ll look like in action, but a reflective helmet is a nice, if distinctly college football, touch and the addition of powder blue is a welcome tribute to the Oilers’ old, beautiful uniforms. This lands in the middle of the list until we get a good look at each….