The Best and Worst NFL Uniforms

Some teams are dressed for success. Others, not so much.

The Best and Worst NFL Uniforms

Aaron Rodgers — The Green Bay Packers' uniforms are about as good as they get these days.

Nike and the NFL are approaching the halfway point in their estimated $4 billion deal that runs through the 2028 season. So let’s take some inventory.

We’ve got primary uniform sets. And alternates. And throwbacks. And so-called Color Rushes. And ones for home games. And ones for away games. In every shade of color imaginable, thousands of combinations in all.

Yet while these (too) many options have enhanced the bottom line — really, that’s all that matters, right, Junior? — it's surprising just how little they’ve done from an aesthetic standpoint. By our count, barely half the league passes muster.

What’s more, the vast majority of best-dressed teams have changed little over the years. Most of the others seem to be confused, if not downright desperate to find an identity.

Here’s how the uniform sets rank for every NFL team. Now you be the judge.

32. Santa Clara/San Jose 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo — Why do the 49ers still have "San Francisco" in their name?

Established: 1946

First season: 1946

Top seller: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

32. Santa Clara/San Jose 49ers

Bottom line: The Niners have nice enough uniforms. This is about that "SF" logo, which is faker than a San Francisco summer. The Phony-Niners don’t play their games or practice in The City. Not even close.

The team is based in Santa Clara, which is 40 miles closer to San Jose than its alleged home. (Yeah, I know, the New York Jets and Giants play in New Jersey, but it’s an 11-minute cab ride from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium. No biggie.)

Get back, get back, back to where you once belonged, Jo.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans — These Bucs uniforms are not a cause for celebration.

Established: 1974

First season: 1976

Top seller: Wide receiver Mike Evans

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lavonte David — Tampa Bay is not going to win any awards for this uni.

Bottom line: This franchise is the No. 1 cause of macular degeneration. Remember the Creamsicles that pictured an Errol Flynn lookalike with a sword in his mouth on the helmets?

Even those were better than the pewter and blood-red version of today. Uh, more like p-u-ter.

From the digital-clock numerals to the way-too-much Color Rush reds, it’s time to stuff 'em in the cannon at Raymond James Stadium, blow 'em away and start over again.

30. Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson — The Ravens could use a uniform upgrade.

Established: 1996

First season: 1996

Top seller: Quarterback Lamar Jackson

30. Baltimore Ravens

Bottom line: Ravens are ominous creatures. We get it. But black and purple mix like Burger King Flamin' Hot Mac n’ Cheetos and a queasy stomach.

The Ravens need to lighten up forevermore.

Oh, then there’s that goofy helmet logo, the one with the startled bird who can’t believe some cruel human actually shaved a "B" into the side of its head.

29. Cleveland Browns

Maybe Baker Mayfield can help the Browns' uni game.

Established: 1944

First season: 1946

Top seller: Quarterback Baker Mayfield

29. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns captains — Welcome to Believe-land.

Bottom line: What can brown do for you? Not a helluva lot, pal. A long-overdue rebrand is on the way, and we can only hope that’s a good thing for a change.

Some free advice: Put Brownie the Elf on the sides of that infamous plain helmet. You know, the stoic one with the smirk on his face. Wouldn’t that be absolutely perfect for the newfound swag of Baker Mayfield and his gang?

If that doesn’t work, how about a silhouette of team founder Paul Brown then? OK, probably not.

28. Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald — Is it time for the Cards to rock all-red all the time?

Established: 1898

First season: 1920

Top seller: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald

28. Arizona Cardinals

Bottom line: As one of the most distinctive around, the bird helmet logo should be the focal point while the rest falls in line.

But the busy jerseys and pants clearly aren’t team players, so intent are they to sabotage their leader.

C’mon, Big Red, keep it simple. (Pssst, an all-red Color Rush version might be worth a try.)

27. Cincinnati Bengals

Established: 1967

First season: 1968

Top seller: Wide receiver A.J. Green

27. Cincinnati Bengals

James Bates — Does anyone have any new ideas for the Bengals?

Bottom line: Raise your hand if you believe the tiger stripes have outlived their usefulness. Uh-huh, thought so.

Now that the franchise has moved on from coach Marvin Lewis, it can enter the new millennium with their attire as well.

It may want to start with a more creative team logo and work from there.

26. New England Patriots

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Tom Brady

26. New England Patriots

Bottom line: When Tom Boy drops back to pass in the Color Rush blues, it looks like he’s in his pee-jays. (The guy has so much time to throw the ball, he may as well be, right?) Point is, this look hasn’t changed much over the years.

And when it has, it has generally been for the worse.

Personally, we favor the old look — red jerseys, white hats, white pants — only with the current Elvis helmet logo as a sweetener.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jalen Ramsey — The Jaguars are moving in the right direction — at least with their uniforms.

Established: 1993

First season: 1995

Top seller: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles — Jacksonville's road unis are nothing to write home about.

Bottom line: Florida’s other team has done the unthinkable — screwed up teal and black somehow.

Lo and behold, the 2019 season promises to be a half-step in the right direction, though. Namely, the all-black helmet, which is a major upgrade from that hideous two-tone one.

We’d like to see a stripe down the side of the pants, but when you consider the utter lack of creativity here over the years, it’s unreasonable to expect too much, too soon.

24. New York Jets

Sam Darnold — The Jets don't have the look.

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Sam Darnold

24. New York Jets

Bottom line: You mean Gang Green bragged that it took five years to concoct their new look, then left us with this?

For all we know, these duds were taken off the bargain rack at an Oregon Ducks garage sale.

We’ll still take the classic 1960s throwbacks any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Just bring back Don Maynard, Joe Namath and Matt Snell with them.

23. Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones — Can the Falcons make their alternate "throwback" look their primary style?

Established: 1965

First season: 1966

Top player: Wide receiver Julio Jones

23. Atlanta Falcons

Bottom line: The more these threads change, the more they stay meh.

Numerous tweaks later, this team still looks best in its home throwbacks, the classic model that was worn in its first two seasons (1966-67) way back when.

That is, the black jersey with red-trimmed white numbers on the fronts and shoulder pads, white pants and the original falcon logo on the sleeves and red helmet.

22. Denver Broncos

Von Miller — The Broncos are due — for a new aesthetic.

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Linebacker Von Miller

22. Denver Broncos

Bottom line: This orange-and-navy blue combo is similar to that of the Chicago Bears (see ahead). Whereas Da Bears have discovered new ways to highlight the old, this one never made it out of the John Elway era.

The overdue rebrand could start with a lighter shade of blue on the helmets and jerseys. Those XXL-sized stripes down the sides would be the next to go. A third pants color could be added to the mix (and made mandatory for every team while we’re at it).

Then the all-orange Color Rush model should be scrapped once and for all. It’s more trick than treat.

21. Tennessee Titans

Marcus Mariota — Cementing an identity in the NFL takes time. Ask the team formerly known as the Oilers.

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Marcus Mariota

21. Tennessee Titans

Bottom line: In an attempt to further distance itself from its Houston roots, the franchise embarked on a reboot after the 2017 season. Give it high marks for effort, anyway.

The metallic navy blue helmets and silver face mask are a cleaner, bolder improvement over the white version, although to be honest, we're navyed out at this point.

It also features a tapered silver stripe. You know, like a sword. The Roman gladiator theme extends to the scabbard shoulder flaps. Call this a work in progress.

20. Houston Texans

J.J. Watt — The Texans have moments of excitement. Kind of like their unis.

Established: 1999

First season: 2002

Top seller: Defensive end J.J. Watt

20. Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson — Houston has not gone big with its unis.

Bottom line: The horned logo and navy blue helmet are keepers, but the rest is unimpressive for our taste.

The overly simplistic design is due for a rebrand, and it would take only a few positive tweaks to move up in class.

Hint: Start with the horribly misplaced red (on blue) and blue (on red) stripe around the collar and proceed from there.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz — The Eagles could use a new green.

Established: 1933

First seasons: 1933

Top seller: Quarterback Carson Wentz

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Nelson Agholor — Fly unis for the Eagles? You make the call.

Bottom line: Color scheme isn’t the only thing when it comes to uniforms. It’s everything. Now will somebody, anybody kindly tell the Iggles that Kelly Green beats the hell out of Midnight Green from here to Manayunk?

Don’t they know that one obvious change means a whole 10 spots in the order?!

Try, Eagles, try! (OK, we'll calm down now. But this bugs the @#$%^&*()_+! out of us. There has to be a Betty Ford Clinic for this kind of thing.)

18. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen — The Bills' aren't bad. Can we say the same about the team?

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Josh Allen

18. Buffalo Bills

Zay Jones and Josh Allen — Buffalo's road whites are clean.

Bottom line: The return of the white helmets of yesteryear didn’t come soon enough.

Their home blue and road white jerseys also are well done, thanks to some of the sharpest piping and numeral outlines around.

Scrap the all-red Color Rush model, a bad match for the helmets, and this ensemble moves into the first division.

17. New York Giants

Saquon Barkley — That "NY" logo is iconic.

Established: 1925

First season: 1925

Top seller: Running back Saquon Barkley

17. New York Giants

Eli Manning — The Giants have a strong brand as one of the NFL's flagship franchises.

Bottom line: We are traditionalists at heart, even more so with a time-honored franchise such as this one. So we're on board with the plain blue jerseys and old-style "NY" logo that has Sam Huff written all over them.

We're also in on the block "Giants" that appears on the lid occasionally, the one that Lawrence Taylor made famous.

It’s the pants that this team could do without. No, we mean, the team should play with pants, just not the gray ones. (One word: white).

16. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck — The Colts still have (Andrew) Luck on their side, which is nice.

Established: 1953

First season: 1953

Top seller: Quarterback Andrew Luck

16. Indianapolis Colts

Darius Leonard — Sometimes, simplicity wins the uniform game.

Bottom line: If one can get past the fact that the Colts name was stolen from Baltimore in a Mayflower van, there’s more good than bad here.

True, the blue-and-white scheme is restrictive, but the design is clean. Yet it’s the familiar horseshoe logo which oozes tradition that puts this in the upper half. Unitas gives to Ameche . . . The Colts are the world champions!

Now do the right thing, owner Jim Irsay — give it back!

15. Chicago Bears

Khalil Mack — The Bears' uniform game remains strong after 100 years.

Established: 1920

First season: 1920

Top seller: Outside linebacker Khalil Mack

15. Chicago Bears

Mitchell Trubisky, Tarik Cohen, Kevin White — Chicago has tradition on its side.

Bottom line: Reaction has been mixed to the Bears' 100th anniversary throwbacks (circa 1936), which will be worn at two games in the 2019 season. We kinda like the white jersey with added stripes on the winged helmet and sleeves as well as navy blue- and orange-striped socks.

Otherwise, it will be business as usual. For a solid color scheme that offers a number of mix-and-match options, that’s a good thing.

NFC North fun fact: This is the best-dressed division in the league — every one of its members ranks in the top half of our list.

14. Miami Dolphins

Kiko Alonso — Miami's uniforms could be worse.

Established: 1965

First season: 1966

Top seller: Linebacker Kiko Alonso

14. Miami Dolphins

Reshad Jones — The Dolphins have some of the most unique colors in football.

Bottom line: There’s no reason why aqua, white and orange can’t be merged into something special.

The new all-white throwbacks are a start. In fact, they’re so dadgum sharp, they should be numero uno. The lovable dolphin helmet logo merits a permanent spot in the lineup as well.

More good news: The aqua-on-aqua combo that was an awful match for the white lid has been scrapped altogether.

13. Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson — Little things make a big difference with uniforms.

Established: 1974

First season: 1976

Top seller: Quarterback Russell Wilson

13. Seattle Seahawks

Bottom line: If there’s one pro sports team that Nike should do right, it’s the one that plays three hours from its headquarters, no? For the most part, mission accomplished.

The names may be convoluted, but College Navy, Action Green, and Wolf Gray capture the Pacific Northwest spirit. The white-on-gray and blue-on-blue versions are well done, although we wonder if the wide line across the shoulder blade is a bit obtrusive.

As for the all-neon Color Rush model, doctor, my eyes! A simple switch to navy (excuse us, College Navy) socks to match the helmets just might save them. Just do it.

12. Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford — The Lions have one of the best color schemes in the game. That's better than nothing.

Established: 1930

First season: 1930

Top seller: Quarterback Matthew Stafford

12. Detroit Lions

Bottom line: The redesign that was unveiled prior to the 2018 campaign included rather innocent logo and typeface changes, not an unnecessary overall. Um, is it all right to use "Detroit Lions" and "smart" in the same sentence?

Left untouched was the Honolulu blue-and-silver combo, a joyous marriage that was consummated 85 years ago.

The Color Rush grays are a personal favorite here. Unlike too many of the guys who wear it, this wardrobe is solid.

11. Carolina Panthers

Luke Kuechly — Can you say underrated unis?

Established: 1993

First season: 1995

Top seller: Linebacker Luke Kuechly

11. Carolina Panthers

Christian Fauria, DeAngelo Williams, Jordan Gross — Dressed for success.

Bottom line: For reasons unclear, these threads don’t get their just due.

The primary logo and silver helmets with center stripes are well done. If the teal jersey/socks with white paints aren’t the sharpest combo in the league, then it’s on the short list for sure. The black-on-black Color Rush version is a winner.

We're not wild about the flared wide stripes down the pant legs, but that’s imminently fixable. What’s more, a third pants color is needed here (and elsewhere around the league.) Fact is, black and teal can negate almost any flaw.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes — The Chiefs have a uniform worth celebrating.

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Tight end Travis Kelce

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Bottom line: The distinctive arrowhead logo and red-and-gold colors have been franchise staples since its move from Dallas more than five decades ago.

For some added flavor on special occasions, they could resurrect the spin-off logo of the 1963-1971 seasons. Instead of the Dallas Texans gunslinger superimposed over his home state, this one featured a Native American running with the same stride, football in one hand and tomahawk in the other, a map of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa and Arkansas in the background.

Set off the heart of Chiefs country in solid red this time, and it would be a worthy complement.

9. Washington Redskins

Established: 1932

First season: 1932

Top seller: Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan

9. Washington Redskins

Adrian Peterson — All day with these uniforms.

Bottom line: Socks are like placekickers and referees — you don’t hear much about them until they smell really bad. Well, the Redskins boast the best hose in the biz, all-burgundy beauties that stand out in a crowd.

The rest of the uniform is easy on the eyes as well, set off by the iconic logo and burgundy-and-gold combo that is as unique as it is effective.

Other than the throw-ups, er, throwbacks, which could use some work, this group has no weakness.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Established: 1960

First season: 1961

Top seller: Wide receiver Stefon Diggs

8. Minnesota Vikings

Bottom line: About that logo — it’s really Hulk Hogan dressed in a viking helmet, right? Well, let me tell you something, brother, the gold crescent that creates the illusion of a protruding horn is sheer creative brilliance.

We must admit, these unis have been some a favorite since a rookie quarterback named Fran Tarkenton had his coming-out party many years ago.

Set the player names and numerals in a Nordic font, and they may rank higher yet.

7. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees — Black on black works for the Saints.

Established: 1966

First season: 1967

Top seller: Quarterback Drew Brees

7. New Orleans Saints

Bottom line: This is one of the select few teams that can make black on black look good. A thin gold streak down each side of the stripeless pants could make it better yet.

Credit the classic gold helmet, which features the trademark fleur-de-lis on the sides. Not only does it complement all that is black quite well, but it screams civic pride at the same time. The white-on-whites and white-on-golds are no less attractive. (Love the matching pants-shoulder stripes on the former.)

The higher-ups have toyed with a black helmet that they wore in one preseason game a while back. Set the facemask and fleur-de-lis in the current gold shade, and count us in.

6. Green Bay Packers

Established: 1919

First season: 1919

Top seller: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers

6. Green Bay Packers

Jahri Evans — Green Bay's threads are tough to beat.

Bottom line: Change comes at a glacial pace in the Frozen Tundra, especially when it comes to uniform design. Why should it be any other way?

From tradition to the color combo to discipline, these threads are about as good as they get these days. The green-on-gold model defines awesomeness. The Color Rush whites are off the charts. (Note the matching jersey-pants stripes.)

Unfortunately, the Pack will don its blue-and-gold throwbacks at one home game in the 2019 season. That’s one too many.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott and Blake Jarwin — How about those uniforms?

Established: 1960

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Dak Prescott

5. Dallas Cowboys

Leighton Vander Esch — A variation on the lone star theme.

Bottom line: Suffice it to say, original Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm was waaaaay ahead of his time in fashion sense. Decades later, his successors have done a commendable job to execute his vision of the future.

Whether it be the road white-on-silver or home, home navy-on-white/silver alternate or all-white Color Rush apparel, this team will be dressed better than it plays most days.

And that’s a compliment.

4. Los Angeles Rams

Established: 1936

First season: 1936

Top seller: Running back Todd Gurley

4. Los Angeles Rams

Bottom line: When a franchise moves to brand-new digs, as this one will do in the 2020 season, the goal is to make a cannonball splash. Uh-huh. Fine. Just don’t go full Hollywood on us, people.

The Rams' throwback uniform with blue jersey and gold numerals plus blue helmet with iconic gold horns was, is and always will be among the most attractive in any sport. Not far behind is the white-horned navy helmet with white face mask and white pants with a navy stripe down the side, which was reintroduced after a fan vote in the 2018 season.

Just don’t go changing to try and please me. But that’s what Billy Joel said.

3. Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr — Commitment to excellent unis.

Established: 1960

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Derek Carr

3. Oakland Raiders

Erik Harris and Gareon Conley — When all else fails, celebrate the Raiders' uniforms.

Bottom line: The on-field product may suck when the team heads to Nevada after the 2019 season, but never will bad look so good.

The Silver and Black raised the fashion bar in their AFL days, and they remain at the head of the class decades later.

The alternate road version with black-trimmed silver numbers is so beyond cool, they should be considered on a more full-time basis.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

JuJu Smith-Schuster — Nobody does black and gold like the Steelers.

Established: 1933

First season: 1933

Top seller: Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger — Black and yellow and white.

Bottom line: Full disclosure: I’ve had black-and-gold addiction since seventh grade. And nobody does black and gold like Pittsburgh teams. Nooo-body. (Note: I’m talkin’ solid gold here, not the mustard yellow knock-offs.)

Coupled with the iconic Steelmark logo on one helmet side, the black-on-gold homies and black-on-black Color Rushes are pure 100 percent killer.

And how can one not like the new throwbacks with those big, bold, beautiful block numerals (circa the 1970s)? Answer: One cannot.

1. Los Angeles Chargers

Established: 1959

First season: 1960

Top seller: Quarterback Philip Rivers

1. Los Angeles Chargers

Bottom line: I don’t care how the 2019 NFL season turns out, people. It’s already an unqualified success.

That’s because the Chargers have finally adopted the SoCal cool, out-of-this-world powder blues as their primary uniform set. Yes! Yesss! Yesssss! Thank you, Touchdown Jesus!

The yellow facemask makes them even better, if that’s possible. Put the player number back on the helmet sides (circa 1960-73), and they’re about as perfect as perfect can be.

In fact, we'll go as far as to say they’re the best football uniforms in the history of history. Go ahead, name a better one. Waiting, still waiting.