Multiple National Football League teams plan to introduce new alternate helmets in 2025. The change comes after the league lifted a previous restriction, allowing teams to use a second helmet shell beginning in the 2022 season.
Reports indicate the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers are among the teams set to unveil new alternate designs. Neither franchise had used an alternate helmet since the league implemented a one-shell rule in 2013.
The Chargers' new helmet is anticipated to be navy blue. This look could be paired with their Color Rush uniforms and feature a gold lightning bolt, referencing helmets worn from 1988 to 2006.
The Steelers may introduce a gold helmet. This design would harken back to the team's earlier color schemes and could potentially be used with their Color Rush uniform set. The Steelers notably place their logo featuring hypocycloids on only one side of their helmets.
In addition to the Steelers and Chargers, the Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, and New Orleans Saints are also expected to debut alternate helmets. The Browns currently use a white alternate helmet, the Saints have a black alternate, and the Commanders feature a black alternate helmet.
Since the league approved teams having a second alternate helmet design last season, some teams may be adding a new option alongside existing alternates.
The alternate helmets are expected to be revealed sometime in July.
Several teams have not yet introduced a second helmet since the rule change. These include the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers. Some teams, like the Dolphins and Bills, change decals on their standard white helmets for throwback looks rather than using a separate shell. The 49ers and Raiders also utilize their standard helmets with throwback uniforms.
