If this looks familiar, it’s because Riddell released a revolution style helmet about 15 years ago. The Steelers wore it as an alternate throwback between 2007 and 2011. I say alternate throwback because the actual gold helmet the Steelers wore in 1962 read “Steel,” not “Steelers.” The difference between the 2025 alternate throwback and the 2007-11 throwback is that the 2025 helmet has a grey facemask.

This is the 4th alternate throwback from the limited edition series, the others being the Chargers, Vikings, and Jets. It’s also number 24 out of 25 for 2025 (and 39 out of 40 for 2024). Whew. My pocket book needs a break 🙂

With one week left, we still have the white Bills and red Bills throwbacks, the Colts throwback, and the Commanders alternate throwback. I’m betting the next release will be the Commanders.

Click here for the updated checklist.

The countdown is on … two more left after this Chargers drop. Thank goodness because I only have the energy for two more 🙂 Now a set…that I can get excited about!

Why do I call this a throwback alternate? Because it looks like the original 1988-06 helmet. However, the helmet the Chargers wore in 2025 had white player numbers. Could it be a player royalty thing (they could have used 00)? Or maybe it’s some issue with the paint?

This is only the 3rd limited edition helmet from the AFC west. Riddell has made this style Chargers helmet before in chrome, traditional, and revolution styles. (The helmet with the yellow facemask below is a custom).

That means there will a helmet for this style in all the four of the five types (not including the 2-bar helmets). A surprisingly high number of teams share this distinction, with a few having all five styles:

• Atlanta 2003-19
• Baltimore 1999-present (all five styles)
• Carolina 1995-2011 (four styles, but not speed)
• Chicago 1983-present
• Cleveland 1975-05/2024-present
• Dallas 1967-present (all five styles)
• Denver 1997-23
• Green Bay 1980-present
• Houston 2002-23 (all five styles)
• Indianapolis 2004-19
• Jacksonville 1995-08, 2024 throwback (all five styles)
• LA Rams 2000-16
• New England 2000-present
• NY Giants 2000-present
• NY Jets 1998-2018
• Philadelphia 1996-present
• Tennessee 1999-2017

In a cool drop, Riddell released the 1923 leather helmet. Some fun facts:

• This is the oldest factory helmet, albeit a throwback. Other factory throwbacks that reference a leather helmet include the Bears 1936-37 (speed), Eagles 1940’s (two-bar, although worn as a hard shell in 1952), and Rams 1948 (traditional and two-bar).
• The is the 2nd Packers limited edition helmet.
• The Packers wore a plain brown helmet in 2010-11. I assume that was some kind of homage to the brown leather helmet. There is not a factory version of this helmet. The Packers have also worn a plain yellow helmet with green or grey facemasks over the years. I assume these are also a homage to the plain yellow leather helmets. But this is the first helmet that attempts to replicate the leather helmet look.

Predictably, it sold out quickly. With a ceiling of 24 helmets per order, some entreprenuers – others might choose a different name 🙂 – are selling them for around $70 each on eBay. This is a niche hobby. I can’t image there’s a market for those prices. I would expect prices to come down. Maybe I am wrong.

There are four helmets left. It appears Riddell may have moved on to 2025. If so, we have some cool options, like the two Bills throwbacks, Steelers yellow alternate, Chargers navy throwback, Saints white alternate, and Commanders burgundy alternate.

Counts so far

Throwback / Alternate

• Total: 36
• 2024: 15/15
• 2025: 21/25
• Throwbacks: 15
• Alternates: 19
• Alternate throwbacks: 2

NFC: 21

• East: 7 – Commanders 1, Cowboys 3, Eagles 1, Giants 2
• North: 6 – Bears 2, Packers 2, Lions 1, Vikings 2
• South: 4 – Buccaneers 1, Falcons 1, Panthers 1, Saints 1
• West: 3 – 49ers 1, Cardinals 1, Rams 0, Seahawks 1

AFC: 15

• East: 4 – Bills 0, Dolphins 1, Jets 2, Patriots 2
• North: 2 – Bengals 0, Browns 2, Ravens 1, Steelers 0
• South: 5 – Colts 1, Jaguars 2, Texans 2, Titans 1
• West: 2 – Broncos 2, Chargers 0, Chiefs 0, Raiders 0

I didn’t know this was the “Alpha Dawg” limited edition helmet! But here it is: the first 2025 limited edition pocket helmet. It’s the 2nd Browns limited edition (the other being the white alternate).

I assumed Riddell would finish 2024 before moving on to 2025, but that’s not the case. The only helmets from 2024 that could be released are the Colts and Saints throwbacks. Maybe the Steelers, Packers, Chargers, and Lions throwback alternates as well.

But if we’ve moved on to 2025, the options are the two Bills throwbacks, Packers throwback, Saints white alternate, Steelers throwback alternate, and Commanders throwback alternate.

(And the blue Chargers throwback. Thanks to Michael Dole for catching that!)

I received the limited edition helmet today. It’s accurate, but I wouldn’t describe it as a “throwback” as the logo color does not appear to match the 1965-77 or 1998-2018 logos. I am going to classify the special edition speed as an “alternate throwback,” similar to the Vikings special edition release a few months ago.

Here are the pocket versions of the helmets with the oval and green logo. Two of them are custom (the ones with the metallic green and white facemasks).

And an updated photo of all the Jets factory helmets.