All 2025 Alternate Uniform Releases So Far
Alternate uniforms in the NFL are a perfect way to memorialize the rich history of a franchise or showcase a secondary color as the primary. The most common version of the latter is an all-white icy look, or an all-black darkness version of their normal uniform combo. Last year, the Minnesota Vikings debuted a brand new white jersey with purple numbers and silver trim to match the new helmet that was paired with the new jersey, calling it the “Winter Warrior” uniform. On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers unveiled a new black helmet that, when combined with their base dark home uniform, created an all-black look, similar to what the Ravens have been wearing as an alternate since 2004. In this article, we will explore the eight teams and 10 individual alternate uniform reveals that were announced in the two weeks of mid-July
Pittsburgh Steelers – 1933 Pirates Throwback
Forged in Pittsburgh, defined by legacy, these throwbacks memorialize the era from more than 90 years ago, when the then-Pirates were founded by Art Rooney. Their yellow jersey features black stripes, like the stripes found on the inaugural jerseys from 1933. The jersey also displays the Pittsburgh city crest in the front left corner, which was predominantly front and center in the original uniform. The helmet has a matte yellow finish with a grey facemask that drew inspiration from the 1930s and 1960s design. The Steelers are bringing back the yellow helmet for the first time since 2011 and will wear khaki-colored pants for the first time since wearing the “bumblebee” 1934 throwback, which was officially retired after the 2016 season. Pittsburgh will wear its new 1933 throwback on October 26th, 2025, in a Week Eight, Sunday Night Football home matchup versus the Green Bay Packers.
Washington Commanders - Super Bowl Era Throwback
Weaving the past and the present together, the Washington Commanders unveiled a new throwback that resembles the Redskins’ uniforms before the rebrand in the early 2020s. The uniforms pay tribute to the era where Washington won three Super Bowls from 1982-1991. The helmet will retain the same Commanders’ appearance, but the jerseys are white with a red collar, featuring traditional red block numbers with a gold trim, memorializing the past while living in the present. The Super Bowl Era throwback will be worn three times this season in DC home games. Starting with two Sunday Night Football matchups in Week Nine versus the Seahawks and Week 13 versus the Denver Broncos. The Commanders will also wear the throwback uniform in a Week 17 Christmas Day home finale versus the Dallas Cowboys at 1:00 p.m. on Netflix.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1976 50th Anniversary White Creamsicle
In honor of their 50th anniversary, the Buccaneers revealed a white version of their orange creamsicle throwbacks that were worn primarily from the Buccaneers’ conception in 1976 until the rebranding of 1997. In 2009, the Bucs brought back the orange creamsicle uniform for one game in each of the next four seasons. It was a short-lived throwback alternate as the NFL changed some safety guidelines in 2013, prohibiting a secondary helmet, forcing the orange uniforms back into retirement. When Tampa Bay was allowed to rebrand itself again, they said goodbye to the “alarm clock” monstrosity of the Jameis Winston era, reverting to the 1997-2012 uniforms. Once the rules were amended again in 2023, the orange jersey was revived for a second time, allowing for two alternate uniforms per team. The Bucs opted to bring back the orange creamsicle, while retaining the pewter gray alternate, unveiled in the Buccaneers uniform rebrand of 2020. With the dagger-biting pirate and an all-white look with orange numbers and red trim, the Bucs will wear the new white creamsicle throwbacks in their Week Three home opener versus the Jets on September 21st at 1:00 p.m.
New Orleans Saints – White Helmet (Color Rush) and Gold Jerseys (Alternate)
On July 9th, 2025, the New Orleans Saints unveiled a brand-new white alternate helmet to pair with their all-white color rush. In previous years, they would wear their primary gold helmet or the new black helmet that was released last season with the all-white combo. The new helmet is an inverted version of their primary helmet, featuring a white base, black minuscule speckles, and a gold center strip featuring a pattern of small fleurs-de-lis. Later that week, the Saints announced that there would be a second uniform release, which was released on July 22nd, 2025. The new uniforms would be worn with the aforementioned black helmets, featuring a gold base with black numbers outlined in white. Neither additions to New Orleans’ uniform repertoire have been connected to a specific game in the 2025 season.
Los Angeles Chargers – Super Chargers and Charger Power
When the Chargers moved back to Los Angeles and originally rebranded away from the 2007 uniforms that most fans connect to Eric Weddle and prime Phillip Rivers, the 2020 Chargers introduced a new uniform design with two alternatives. Originally, the alternates were an all-navy combo that loosely resembled the prime Ladanian Tomlinson era jerseys, and a royal blue with gold numbers color rush option. In July, the Chargers tossed both designs and opted for two new alternate uniforms, naming them “Super Chargers” and “Charger Power”. “Charger Power” is an all-gold uniform, which features a gold jersey to be worn for the first time in team history. The jersey itself was sold in team stores back in 2020, gaining traction and selling well, encouraging the Bolt Gang ownership to officially add it to the closet.
The “Super Chargers” uniform is considered a throwback to the Rodney Harrison era of San Diego’s history. The uniform is similar to the all-navy combo worn by the Chargers in previous years, but has integrated modernized throwback qualities. A new navy helmet, which is a nod to the helmet from 20 years ago, combined with a numerical outline that reminds fans of an offensive powerhouse led by a young Drew Brees, young Phillip Rivers, and LaDainian Tomlinson. The gold Chargers Power uniforms will be worn in a Week Seven home matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts, and the navy throwback Super Chargers uniforms will be worn in the Week Eight bout versus the Minnesota Vikings and after LA’s bye week in Week 13 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cleveland Browns – Alpha Dawg Helmet
On July 23rd, 2025, the Cleveland Browns announced a brand-new alternate helmet to pair with their Brown color rush uniform with the orange number and letters. The helmet, which was dubbed “Alpha Dawg”, is matte brown, with two orange stripes down the middle of the lid. The all-brown alternate was previously paired with the basic orange helmet, but the Browns are leaning into their name by completing the full set of monochromatic uniforms. The new helmet will be worn in three games at home in 2025: Week Three versus the Packers, Week Seven against the Dolphins, and a Week 14 matchup versus the Titans. The Browns also have an all-white throwback uniform with a white helmet that will undoubtedly be worn in 2025.
Buffalo Bills – Alternate Red Helmet
Occasionally teased in Bills practice sessions, Josh Allen and other Buffalo quarterbacks have worn a red helmet to match the red non-contact jerseys. The red helmets featuring a blue stripe and white facemask were worn from 1987-2001, including the four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the 90s that Buffalo had to endure. The revival of the red helmet will be worn in the Week 18 home matchup versus the New York Jets as a send-off to Highmark Stadium. Home to the Buffalo Bills since 1973, Highmark Stadium has had many names, but Buffalo will play in a new stadium after this season, which is currently being built on an adjacent property in Orchard Park, NY.
Green Bay Packers – 1923 Classic Throwback
In what could be in contention for the best throwback/alternate uniform of the 2025 season, the Green Bay Packers blew the competition out of the water by revealing a throwback to 1923. Back in 1923, the modern helmet was not even a thought. No one would have thought 100 years ago that there would be so many options outside of the leather head protection that had no facemask or inside padding. The new helmets for the Packers were hand-painted, giving Green Bay the appearance of the lids worn in their earliest days on the gridiron. With a navy base and dark gold numbers on the jerseys, the Packers essentially revised their throwbacks from the last 20 years, giving fans the most realistic-looking alternate ever seen on the field.
Seven teams, nine uniform additions, all in two weeks. The Browns, Saints, and Bills added a new helmet to previously worn uniforms, while the Packers, Saints, Chargers, Steelers, and Buccaneers created an entirely new uniform. It was rumored that the Seahawks were set to release a white throwback, similar to their light blue jerseys of the Steve Largent era, with silver helmets, but there have been no official announcements of a release by Seattle social media accounts. Throwbacks and alternates are always fun to watch on the field, like the alternates that occasionally make their way onto the MLB diamond or NBA courts. Some are better than others, but I will leave that debate to the fans. Which new alternate uniform is your favorite? Which teams should get a new alternate/throwback?
