2023 Updates

Riddell has released two interesting factory helmets in recent months:

1. The white Cincinnati Bengals alternate helmet.
2. The “kelly green” Eagles helmet from the 80’s.

Photo from pocket pro facebook site, Jason Pink

Both of these helmets are in the speed style, which is more modern and updated than the traditional and two-bar styles. They are going for about $15-20 each online. A normal factory pocket helmet is about $5-10 each.

This is very unusual for Riddell. Riddell has never manufactured throwback helmets in the modern style or released factory alternate helmets, with one exception: the 2007-11 Steelers alternate throwback helmet. That was manufactured in the Revolution style. Collectors make custom helmets on their own to fill the gaps.

In a previous post, I wrote about how Riddell could manufacture four types of sets to make up for the lack of factory helmets:

1. Alternate speed set. These would reflect the most recent alternate and color rush helmets. 15 teams have or will wear alternate helmets in 2022 and 2023. Another 10 or color rush / alternate helmets from the last 10-15 years would make a nice speed-style helmet set.
2. Alternate throwback set. This set would present historic helmets that were worn more recently in the more modern speed style. For example, the Falcons wore the red 1966 helmet in 2022 as a speed helmet. About 20 helmets would qualify.
3. Throwback “fill in the gap” set. These would fill in the gaps from the throwback sets that were manufactured in the 90’s and early 2000’s. These helmets would be in the traditional and two-bar styles. The factory helmets from the 90’s and 00’s are increasingly rare, however.
4. Pro bowl set. This would be a 16 helmet set.

2023 updates as of 8/20 for updated helmets and alternates are below. To my knowledge, only the Cardinals made a change to their normal helmet. Check my pocket helmet Teams Checklist for more details and updates about throwback helmets. I will try to make updates as I hear official announcements.

• Arizona Cardinals: Plain white helmet, 2023 cardinal logo, grey facemask – Riddell factory helmet confirmed
• Cleveland Browns alternate: White helmet, brown-orange-brown stripes, black facemask – factory helmet not confirmed, custom only as of 8/20/23
• Detroit Lions alternate: Honolulu blue helmet, alternate logo, grey facemask – factory helmet not confirmed, custom only as of 8/20/23
• Denver Broncos alternate: white helmet, 93-96 logo, dark blue-orange-dark blue stripes, white facemask – factory helmet not confirmed, custom only as of 8/20/23
• Indianapolis Colts alternate: Black helmet, blue horseshoe with white outline, white-blue-white stripes, black facemask, custom only as of 8/20/23

See the 2022 updates for more alternates. Some of those could be on the field this year.