Coolest NFL Jerseys of All Time: The Best Throwbacks, Ranked
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- Pro Football Network ranks the Chargers' powder blues first.
- Rankings are opinion and vary by publication.
- Several current teams revive older looks as alternates.
This guide ranks NFL throwback jerseys using published lists and shows which current looks you can buy. Every ranking is opinion.
The best NFL throwback uniforms, ranked
| Rank | Team and era | Why it ranks here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Chargers (powder blues) | Powder blue with LaDainian Tomlinson in them, and the 1963 championship came in these jerseys |
| 2 | New England Patriots (Pat Patriots) | Red jerseys, white pants and layered stripes in a well-planned red, white and blue scheme |
| 3 | Houston Oilers | Baby blue tops, white numbers, red outlines and layered sleeve stripes |
| 4 | Denver Broncos (originals) | Yellow tops, brown pants and a brown helmet; bold and simple, though the socks are a problem |
| 5 | Miami Dolphins (Marino era) | White tops with teal numbers, orange accents and a dolphin helmet logo |
| 6 | Dallas Cowboys (white shoulders) | A white shoulder yoke, unoutlined numbers and a simple, classic design |
| 7 | Philadelphia Eagles (Kelly Green) | Unoutlined silver helmet wings and an eagle sleeve patch |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons (all black) | Black tops and helmet, a swooping falcon wing and silver pants |
| 9 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (creamsicle) | Red and orange with the "Bucco Bruce" helmet logo |
| 10 | San Francisco 49ers (1994) | Prominent numbers, three red sleeve stripes and a sleek all-white look |
That ranking is from Pro Football Network, which covers 15 teams. It is an opinion list, and other publications disagree. Sports Illustrated, for example, rated the Seahawks' throwback the best in the NFL in a separate ranking of throwbacks. NFL.com placed the Houston Oilers' all-white road uniform fifth in its own gallery, and Bleacher Report listed the Buccaneers' creamsicle among its worst uniforms.
Positions 11 to 15
| Rank | Team and era | Why it ranks here |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Denver Broncos (Elway era) | A huge "D" and framed horse on the helmet with the Orange Crush look |
| 12 | Los Angeles Rams | Eric Dickerson's oversized No. 29 and loud yellow sleeves |
| 13 | Buffalo Bills (1994) | Red helmet, blue tops and white pants |
| 14 | Cleveland Browns (dark brown mesh) | A gritty mesh jersey in dark brown |
| 15 | Dallas Texans | A Texas outline with a Dallas star on the helmet |
What makes a throwback great
The reasons in the list repeat: a clean color scheme, a memorable helmet, and a player or title tied to the look. The Chargers' powder blues have both Tomlinson and the 1963 championship. The Patriots' red look has layered stripes and a three-color plan. The Oilers' baby blue has red outlines and layered sleeve stripes. Looks that fade when teams change colors, such as the Oilers, gain a nostalgic edge because they cannot return in the same way.
How we read the lists
Rankings mix history, colors and nostalgia, so no list is final. The Chargers' powder blues top Pro Football Network's list because of Tomlinson and the 1963 title. The Patriots, Cowboys and 49ers entries show how many current teams revive older looks. Each of those teams has a current throwback or alternate you can shop.
Which of these can you buy today?
| Look | Current Nike style | Where to shop |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Patriots red | Red throwback | Patriots throwbacks |
| Broncos Orange Crush | Orange throwback | Broncos throwbacks |
| Seahawks 1983–2001 | Royal blue throwback | Seahawks throwbacks |
| Steelers 1933 | Gold throwback | Steelers throwbacks |
| 49ers 1994 | Alternate | 49ers alternates |
Why some looks are polarizing
The creamsicle look is the clearest example: Pro Football Network ranked it ninth, calling the colors a clash from a distance, while Bleacher Report ranked it second on a list of worst uniforms, calling it almost so bad it is good. Taste is part of the appeal of a throwback.
Throwbacks teams wear in the next few weeks
| Date | Team | Throwback |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 15 | San Francisco 49ers at Dallas | Red 1994 throwback |
| Nov. 26 | Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia | Navy Classic (1960s) |
| Dec. 7 | Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas | Royal blue throwback |
| Dec. 10 | New England Patriots vs. Minnesota | Red Pat Patriot |
| Dec. 17 | San Francisco 49ers at the Chargers | White 1994 throwback |
These dates come from the teams' own uniform announcements. The Steelers have said their gold 1933 throwback returns for one feature game, but have not named it. Check the team before you plan a purchase around a specific game.
Related guides
Keep reading: throwback vs retro vs vintage, NFL uniform history by decade and how to style an NFL jersey. Each guide covers one question fans ask before they buy, and all link back to our NFL jerseys hub.
Shop the legends
Most throwback buyers choose a player from the era. Browse legends jerseys and throwback jerseys, and read throwback vs retro vs vintage for how to read listings. See also all NFL jerseys.
Coolest NFL jerseys ever and the best looking NFL jerseys
The coolest NFL jerseys ever depend on taste, but the lists agree on a few. The best looking NFL jerseys in Pro Football Network's ranking are the Chargers' powder blues, the Patriots' Pat Patriot red and the Oilers' baby blue. For the best throwback NFL jerseys by era, the Seahawks' 1983–2001 look and the Broncos' Orange Crush also appear in published lists. These are the coolest NFL throwback jerseys most fans can name.
Ugliest NFL jerseys and the best alternate NFL jerseys
Bleacher Report's list of the ugliest NFL jerseys includes the Buccaneers' creamsicle, which Pro Football Network ranks ninth among the best. Among the best alternate NFL jerseys today, Sports Illustrated rates the Seahawks' royal blue throwback at the top of its ranking. For the best retro football jerseys and the greatest NFL jerseys of all time, no single list is final.
FAQ
What is the best NFL throwback jersey?
Pro Football Network ranks the Chargers' powder blues first. Sports Illustrated picks the Seahawks' throwback.
Are the Bucs creamsicle uniforms good?
Opinions split: ninth best in one list, second worst in another.
What are the Pat Patriots uniforms?
Red jerseys from the era when the Patriots wore the minuteman logo.
Where can I buy NFL throwback jerseys?
See our throwback jerseys hub.