Last week, we looked at the worst jerseys each NFL team had ever worn. For some teams, this meant nitpicking clean jerseys. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, it was like approaching a prime rib and lobster buffet.
This, of course, let to the other side of the coin. Which jerseys are the best in franchise history?
Some teams have relied on the same simple and clean combination of classic colors and crisp contrast to sustain stars across generations. Others have cycled through underwhelming combinations before landing on greatness. And others have discarded greatness or relegated it to throwback status in order to wear vastly inferior uniforms (hello, New England Patriots).
So, in an effort to get yelled at in the comments some more, we’re tackling the best jerseys each NFL team has worn. We’ll limit this to post AFL-NFL merger kits, so there won’t be anything before 1970 included here unless a team has worn it as a throwback since. And here’s where I’ll mention the obscene helpfulness of the Gridiron Uniform Database, which is invaluable for sparking stupid arguments like the 32 I’m set to wade into.
Let’s talk best jerseys, running down each team in alphabetical order. And remember, this is all subjective and my forte is quarterback value, not fashion, so it’s entirely possible I am very, very wrong.
Nov 22, 1992; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Phoenix Cardinals quarterback Chris Chandler (17) in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Am I a big dumb child for clapping and laughing at the Arizona state flag sleeve stripes? POSSIBLY. Is there maybe too much going on with those sleeves? I can concede that. But these work despite their busy-ness, perhaps because the team’s red jerseys were basically generic slices of nothing at the time. Hot damn, Larry Centers looked great in these.
Oct 9, 1988; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons tackle Bill Fralic sits in the dugout prior to a game at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Take your pick of any Atlanta jersey from 1966 to 2000. They’re all great. I’m partial to the red home jerseys from the 1980s. The only real shame here is we only got a single season of Deion Sanders in these before the team reverted to black and white primary jersey colors.
Jan 28, 2001; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis (84) carries the ball against the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXXV. The Ravens defeated the Giants 34-7 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens have stuck with a winning formula in their nearly three decades as a franchise. I have no complaints about their purple or black jerseys, but these whites — with just enough gold contrast, especially in the numbers — stand out just a bit more. Plus, the team shield with Maryland’s funky state flag incorporated? Nice.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his 1-yard touchdown run against the Cowboys.
The Bills ditched their extremely 2000s era Reebok fits for a simple, throwback look and … is it recency bias to say I like these more than the originals? I mean, Jim Kelly and company looked great in these three-plus decades ago, but Josh Allen might look even better.
Dec. 8, 2008; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) reacts in the Panthers 38-23 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The team’s Carolina blue kits are a nice touch as well. But this black-and-blue number has worked so well it’s barely been changed since the franchise’s inception. The shoulder stripes are tapered now, but the thicker slices of the late-90s and 2000s is the superior look.
Unknown Date; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back (34) Walter Payton in action Solider Field against the Oakland Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
There have been modern updates — shorter sleeves, tapered stomachs — but the Bears’ home jerseys have remained effectively the same for more than 80 years. That’s because they’re nearly perfect.
Sep 8, 1996; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals receiver Darnay Scott (86) in action against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
The thickness and pattern of the shoulder highlights changed over these two decades, but replacing generic sleeve rings with tiger stripes? Beautiful, champ.
Dec. 26, 2010; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) gets tripped up by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) during the third quarter at Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland’s return to NFL existence meant a slight overhaul to its classic home uniforms. That meant adding an extra layer to the team’s sleeve stripes and moving them closer to the shoulder. It works, adding contrast to a palette of colors that shouldn’t work this well together, but do.
Oct 25, 1992; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) in action against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports
Simple, clean and iconic.
Jan 31, 1988; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos receiver Mark Jackson (80) and quarterback John Elway (7) on the field prior to Super Bowl XXII against the Washington Redskins at Jack Murphy Stadium. The Redskins defeated the Broncos 42-10. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Denver abandoned beauty in a vain quest for perfection and ended up with a handful of extremely “of the times” kits in the years since. None can compete with a hideous sea of orange kissed perfectly by elements of blue and white.
Oct 2, 1994; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders (20) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Honestly, the Lions have looked great in just about every uniform they’ve had in the modern era. The newer, lighter Honolulu blues are a nice touch. But the balance on these jerseys, from the white numbers to the silver outlines, give them the edge in my book. Also: Barry Sanders wore them. Thus, they cannot be bad.
Sep 18, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) blocks for running back Aaron Jones (33) as he scores a touchdown against Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) in the second quarter during their football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
The only thing that’s really changed about this look is the collar (added a yellow highlight in the 1980s) and the sleeve length. Otherwise, it’s an old school look for an old school franchise. There’s just enough yellow here to make everything else look better.
Nov 3, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
You know what? I’m gonna roll with the Battle Reds. Houston only effectively has three jerseys from which to choose, all of which are mostly fine. We’ve got new uniforms coming in 2024, including a new alternate with light blue elements which could be pretty great.
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs the ball during the second quarter of the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Look, I will forever stan a big, beautiful shoulder stripe that connects at the armpit. Hell, they were capable of making Jim Harbaugh look cool:
Ultimately, the clipped stripes are the cleaner look and a necessity with shorter sleeves. But it’s a call that could go either way; pretty much anything the Colts wear looks good (not you, Indiana nights).
Sep 3, 2000; Cleveland, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell (8) throws in the pocket against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Jaguars beat the Browns 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
After 2008, the Jags ditched the perfect two-tone gold and black sleeve stripe and the full Jaguar emblem that adorned their earlier jerseys. The uniform gods punished them for this by forcing them through a series of bad redesigns that lasted well into the 2010s. Jacksonville has since course corrected, but it’s still chasing the Boselli era when it comes to uniforms.
Dec 31, 1994; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback (19) Joe Montana in action against the Miami Dolphins in the 1994 AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Joe Robbie Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Chiefs 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright Manny Rubio
Clean, crisp hot dog colors for nearly six decades.
Oct 7, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders tackle Art Shell (78) blocks for quarterback Ken Stabler (12) as he prepares to throw the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
Black numbers on white jerseys? Awesome. Silver numbers on black jerseys? Even better. Silver numbers on white jerseys? Also good. The Raiders operate across of spectrum of 1940s television colors and it works so damn well.
Dec 3, 1972; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Diego Chargers running back Mike Garrett (20) carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
At least the Chargers had the decency to bring these jerseys back in the 2000s, though the current versions ditch the superior vertical shoulder stripe for a horizontal one.
1994; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams receiver Flipper Anderson (83) on the field during the 1994 season. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Man, don’t make me choose. Flipper Anderson looked cool as hell in both of these.
Dec 15, 1991; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins running back Mark Higgs (21) takes a hand off from Dan Marino (13) against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
The team’s white jerseys from this era are great as well. Hell, even their streamlined current jerseys are solid enough. The combination of aqua and orange, balanced off by a healthy heap of neutral white, is a lovely coastal contrast.
Jan 11,1970; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Chiefs running back (38) Wendell Hayes try to escape Minnesota Vikings linebacker (58) Wally Hilgenberg as (88) Alan Page and (70) Jim Marshall close in during Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Vikings 23-7 giving the AFL their second consecutive Super Bowl title. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright Manny Rubio
Minnesota’s current jerseys are fine, but give me these block numbers and an ostentatious shoulder stripe over the team’s current flared digits and half-sleeves.
Nov 19, 1989; Foxboro, MA, USA: FILE PHOTO; New England Patriots running back John Stephens (44) in action against the Buffalo Bills at Foxboro Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of big, beautiful shoulder stripes. The return of alternate helmets has meant the return of these cherry red monsters. The Patriots may be far from their glory days, but they’re looking a lot better on throwback weeks than they did to wrap up the 2010s.
Oct. 26, 2008; London, ENGLAND; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands the ball off to running back Deuce McAllister (26) during the first quarter of a regular season NFL International Series against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Black and gold looks great, even when your team stinks (see: Vanderbilt Commodores). These crisp classic jerseys have sustained New Orleans through lean times, though the gold numbers have only been around since 1996. No matter what the Saints wear, they look sharp as hell. Feel free to put pretty much any of their jerseys in this slot.
Jan 27, 1991; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) loos to pass against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bills 19-20. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The whites from this era are great, too. In fact, pretty much every Giants kit has the same simple blend of red, white and blue that creates a perfect balance.
Nov 19, 1972; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets running back John Riggins (44) and Rich Caster (88) in action against Miami Dolphins linebacker Doug Swift (59) at the Orange Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
The Jets brought this look back with a darker shade of green in the 1990s and into the 2000s, which also look good. But the closer you get to Kelly green, the better (see below). The home whites, with inverse sleeve colors, are also solid.
Oct 18, 1992; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham (12) in action against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
This is not only a gorgeous shade of green, but Philadelphia’s move to replace the arm stripe with an eagle logo worked wonders as well. It took a while, but these jerseys returned in 2023 and, honestly, should never leave the Eagles’ rotation ever again.
Jan 22, 2006; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver (86) Hines Ward is congratulated by quarterback (7) Ben Roethlisberger and (80) Cedrick Wilson after a touchdown catch during the 2nd quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Matthew Emmons
Sep 17, 2006 San Francisco, CA, USA: San Francisco 49ers running back (21) Frank Gore is tackled by St. Louis Rams defensive end (91) Leonard Little during the 3rd quarter at Monster Park in San Francisco, CA. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Kyle Terada
Is it sacrilege to like these uniforms from a lost era more than the jerseys Joe Montana wore en route to four Super Bowl wins? Probably! But I kinda love the Niners’ late-90s/early-2000s drop shadowed numbers here, since the black there really does complement the team’s red and gold.
Is that better than this?
I dunno man, tough call. I’m willing to concede I’m a big dumb animal for liking these big block numbers as much as I do.
Oct 29, 1995; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer (3) warms up on the field prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Damn, man, these almost made *Rick Mirer* look cool.
Oct 30, 1988; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers Eugene Marve (99) and Kevin Murphy (59) in action against the Miami Dolphins at Tampa Stadium during the 1988 season. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photots-USA TODAY Sports
These were bad so long they went full circle all the way back to good.
Oct 5, 1980; Seattle, WA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell (34) in action against the Seattle Seahawks at the Silverdome. the Seahawks defeated the Oliers 26-7. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Since rebranding as the Titans, Tennessee has relied on a handful of generic uniform designs. That’s a shame, because the Oilers had some of the best jerseys in the game. These recently returned as throwbacks, which is great unless you want to be reminded of your favorite team once being so desperate to leave Texas it played a full season in front of 30,000 fans at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Sep 16, 1990, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins receiver #81 Art Monk eludes San Francisco 49ers defensive back Kevin Lewis (45). Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
The burgundy road jerseys were also great. The old franchise name is rightfully gone, but this classic uniform combination persists. Mostly.