NFL Rivalry jerseys ranked for every new team from worst to best

The NFL has fully embraced the NBA's approach of having special uniforms for rival matchups, with the AFC South and NFC North now including such clothing. While some of these new uniforms are truly iconic and feel right on point, others are mediocre at best. Here's a ranking of the eight new uniforms, from worst to best, along with when they will be worn.

At the bottom of the list, the Chicago Bears' Week 16 jersey against the Packers is the least appealing. The subtle piping meant to evoke the original Bears uniforms is lost in subtlety, and the numbering looks bad. The overall design feels like a much worse version of their regular uniform, which is disappointing for a team expected to be exciting in 2026.

Coming in fourth from the bottom, the Detroit Lions' Week 8 jersey against the Vikings is quite similar to the Carolina Panthers' white uniforms. The shade of blue is the only distinguishing feature, making it feel like the Lions simply copied the Panthers' design. The carbon fiber number is too obvious, and a grey variant would have been a better choice.

The Indianapolis Colts' Week 3 jersey against the Texans is too glossy and black, reminiscent of a mall pop-up with iron-on transfers. The abrupt shoulder design fails to evoke the Colts and Indianapolis, instead feeling more like a Steelers rivalry jersey with rivets. The Colts' connection is unclear, and the dark look doesn't reflect their identity.

The Minnesota Vikings' Week 15 jersey against the Lions features arm bands that carry the design. The Norse knot and gold are appealing, but the uniform as a whole is too similar to a Baltimore Ravens alternate, lacking a special feel. The subtle design holds the jersey back from being truly remarkable.

The Houston Texans' Week 11 jersey against the Colts is close to being great but falls short in the final stages. The team's attempt to evoke the past of the Houston Oilers is admirable, but the uniform ends up looking like a bootleg being sold out of someone's trunk. The numbering, arm bands, and white color in the logo are all issues.

The Tennessee Titans' Week 10 jersey against the Jaguars is a standout. The team has wisely decided not to copy the history of the Houston Oilers, opting for a new direction with various blue tones. The "Music City" branding, numbering that evokes a neon bar sign, and overall design make this a solid uniform from top to bottom.

Just above the bottom, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Week 8 jersey against the Colts is the best in this year's release. If the Jaguars were included in last year's release, they would likely have topped the list. The jersey perfectly evokes the Jaguars' franchise history, giving the 1995 vibe they were aiming for. Clean, understated, and potentially better than their regular uniforms, this one stands out.

Finally, at the top of the list, the Green Bay Packers' Week 5 jersey against the Bears is one of the best alternate NFL uniforms ever created. A 10/10 design, it's a fantastic combination of colorway, larger number, font, and armbands that evoke both the history of the Packers and modernize the jersey to feel fresh. The anticipation of seeing these on game day is exciting because they truly look fantastic.