Tag: pocket-pro-helmet

Another Saints Drop!

We are getting towards the end. After the 2025 Saints white alternate, there are only three left in the limited edition series. It appears Riddell has moved on from 2024, so it’s likely 2025 will be it.

I wonder if Riddell will do this again in 2026. The helmets are undoubtedly very cool. But buying them one a time is expensive. My 5-year old dog went into kidney failure this weekend and fortunately survived. But the vet bill!!! Maybe it would be nice to take a year off in 2026 for the limited edition individual sales 🙂 I personally like the sets, like Riddell used to do in the old days. How cool would a rivalries set be?

For 2025, Riddell’s options are the two Bills throwbacks, the blue Chargers throwback, Steelers throwback alternate, and Commanders throwback alternate. It’s looking like the Bengals, Rams, Chiefs, and Raiders won’t get a limited edition helmet.

Some Saints helmet facts:

  • The Saints have a factory helmet for every style and era (not including the awesome 1969 pre-season helmet). The join the Bengals, Bucs, Jaguars, Panthers, Ravens, Seahawks, and Vikings. The Saints will wear three different helmet styles in 2025. I am assuming they’ve moved on from the throwback.
  • The Saints logo is a fleur de lis, or a stylized lilly flower. The Saints have used five versions of the logo throughout the years.
    • The first (1967-99) was black with a white outline.
    • The 1969 preseason helmet also displays the old fleur de lis, but is gold with a white outline.
    • The logo was updated in 2000 and is more ornate. It is black with a white and then black outline on the outside.
    • The fleur de lis on the black alternate helmet displays a gold fluer de lis with a black and then white outline on the outside.
    • The 2025 white alternate displays the same fluer de lis with a white and then black outline.
  • While researching this article, I discovered the fleur de lis also has a troubled history. Today, however, New Orleanians see it as a symbol of unity.

Limited Edition Checklist

Throwback / Alternate

  • Total: 37
  • 2024: 15/15
  • 2025: 22/25
  • Throwbacks: 15
  • Alternates: 20
  • 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 2
  • 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

Jaguars Drop

This is a throwback to the 1995-2008 helmet. It sounds weird that a helmet as recent as 2008 would have a throwback! A few other fun facts:

  • Riddell made this helmet in two-bar, traditional, chrome, and revolution styles. Now that there’s a speed factory helmet, this is one of the few helmets for which Riddell has made a factory pocket helmet in all five of the factory styles. The only other teams are the Cowboys, Texans, and Ravens.
  • For a long time, I thought this helmet was worn through 2012. But in 2009, the Jaguars changed the color to a SpectraFlair black. A fellow collector brought that to me attention. Otherwise, it is the same. More info about that on a blog post I made.
  • This is the second limited edition Jaguars drop, the other being the white alternate.
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From 2024, the only throwback helmets left are the Colts and Saints. I expect Riddell will release them. There’s also the Steelers helmet with the grey facemask and plain yellow Packers “throwback.” Excited to see what’s next!

Rivalries helmets & Josh Allen alternates

I couldn’t find good pics of the 2025 rivalries helmets. But FB Helmet Guy makes awesome graphics. Check the site because the graphics and helmet designs are really good: https://x.com/FB_Helmet_Guy. Here are other fun facts:

  • The Jets have A LOT of alternates, including 1993, 1994, 2016-18, 2022-23, 2024-present, and now the 2025 rivalries. And only the 2024 black alternate is the only factory made helmet.
  • This will be the Bills first alternate since their classic 1994 alternate. No factory helmet available for this helmet.
  • This is the first Seahawks alternate helmet.
  • This is the 3rd Cardinals alternate. The first in 2016 was a ‘color rush’ alternate with a darker shade of cardinal red in the logo. The second was the black 2023-present alternate.
  • These are the first alternates for the Rams, 49ers, and Patriots.
  • In 1994, the Dolphins wore their 1960’s throwback. But it had an aqua facemask, so it was more of an alternate throwback.

Looking at the lineup, I think two four-helmet sets would be AWESOME. We’ll see what Riddell does with these, if anything.

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With the exception of the Seahawks (and maybe Cardinals), all of the helmets use the recent black or white trend. That might be a little played. Rather than lean into a team’s colors and do something creative, these helmets come off as kind of bland. For example, what about a white Rams helmet with blue or gold horns? The 49ers could have gone with a red helmet. I think a blue Patriots helmet would be cool.

Josh Allen Alternates

Speaking of alternates, the Bills could have gone with some of the alternates Josh Allen was worn over the last few years in the pre-season. He’s got a nice tradition going. I think they look sharp. In 2025, Allen wore the throwback the Bills will wear during the season.

August 2024 – photo from Buffalo Bills

August 2023 – photo from UniWatch, Phil Hecken (8/3/2023)

August 2022- photo from Buffalo Bills

The Old Super Bowl Logo Pocket Helmets

Over the years, Riddell has made pocket helmets commemorating the Super Bowl. 115 of them, to be exact. Some include the winner logo and Super Bowl logo on the side. Others include the super bowl logo on both sides. A few have the Super Bowl logo on one side and a corporate logo on the other.

Riddell manufactured helmets with the team logo and super bowl logo for super bowls 1 through 44. As far as I can tell, Riddell manufactured helmets with the super bowl logo on both sides for super bowls 17, 22, 26, 36-48, and 50-53. Super Bowl 53 is the last super bowl helmet Riddell made.

In this post, I am writing about the helmets with the Super Bowl logo on both sides because for years, I have been searching for the super bowl 48 helmet…and I finally found one on eBay. It is included in the photos below.

Super Bowl 17, 22, and 26

These were made for the Washington 4-piece team set and likely to honor the Washington 1980’s dynasty.

Super Bowls 36-39

  • Super Bowl 36 (back row, right) – in the Super Bowl 36-piece set and sold individually. This helmet is chrome.
  • Super Bowl 37 (back row, left) – I think this helmet was sold individually
  • Super Bowl 38 (front row, right) – one is silver and chrome, and the other white
  • Super Bowl 39 (front row, left)

I like the unique design of these helmets. It’s a creativity that was lacking for about the next 10 years.

Super Bowl 40

For super bowl 40, Riddell manufactured a four-piece team set. These are the first super bowl helmets in the revolution style.

Super Bowl 41-47

All in the Revolution style, these helmets had the exact same logo on both sides. All sold individually.

Super Bowl 48, 50-53

For these six super bowls, Riddell alternated the logos with the officially super bowl logo (which I find kind of boring) and the hosting city logo, which in general is more creative.

I cannot find an official factory helmet for super bowl 49. I speculate Riddell skipped that year.

To my knowledge, Riddell stopped making super bowl pocket helmets altogether after Super Bowl 53. They are cool, especially the more creative ones. In the meantime, collectors have stepped up with really creative customs.

Super Bowl 54-59 Customs

If you see your helmet below, I apologize for not giving you credit. Let me know if you would like your site or name attached to a specific helmet(s).

Cardinals + other drops

I was away for a few weeks on a week-long bike ride across Iowa (RAGBRAI). It’s basically spring break for adults 🙂

Cardinals Alternate

In my absence, Riddell released the 2022 Cardinals alternate. Some interesting things about the Cardinals helmets:

  1. This is not the only alternate in the Cardinals history. In 2016, the Cardinals wore a “color rush” alternate. It’s the exact same helmet but with a slightly darker shade of red.
  2. The 1961-2004 logo had no black border around the Cardinal. However, the traditional and chrome style helmets do have a black border. The throwback helmets do not.
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Here’s the count so far. More info here.

  • Total: 29
  • 2024: 15/15
  • 2025: 14/25
  • Throwbacks: 12
  • Alternates: 17

With 11 spots to fill for the 2025 limited edition series, one may think Riddell will run out of helmets. Using the 2024 helmets only, I count 8 throwbacks (Cowboys, Vikings, Packers, Saints, Jets, Steelers, Colts, Jaguars) and 2 alternates (Texans red and Chargers). I think the Texans and Jaguars are very likely to be next.

Hall of fame speed

The Hall of Fame shop released a hall of fame helmet. If it looks familiar to collectors, it’s because Riddell has released other versions in the other three styles: 2-bar, traditional, and revolution. Now, one can obtain a complete set (assuming they have the others).

  1. Two-bar – from Bears Super Bowl 4-piece team set
  2. Traditional – from Washington Football Team Super Bowl 4-piece team set
  3. Revolution – sold individually
  4. Speed – sold individually

Other 2025 releases

Several NFL teams have confirmed releases of throwbacks and alternates for the 2025 season. These could be likely candidates for the next limited edition series. Or even better, a helmets in regular production.

Packers 1924 throwback. How amazing would this look as a pocket helmet?

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Browns 2025 alternate. This could mean the white alternate is going away. We’ll see.

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Bills 1987-2001 throwback. This would be the first time the Bills wear a Red helmet since 2010. Riddell manufactured this style previously in chrome and traditional formats.

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Steelers “1933” throwback. This is strange for several reasons. The Steelers and Riddell claim this helmet is a 1933 throwback, which is obviously isn’t. But, they could be referring to the uniform. OK – fair enough. It would have been cool to see them use the 1933 leather helmet like the Packers did.

One could speculate the helmet is a throwback to 1962. While it did have a grey facemask, the text on that logo read “Steel,” not “Steelers.”

This 2025 alternate is the same design as the 2007 alternate throwback. But that helmet had a black facemask.

So, in the end, we will get a helmet design the Steelers never wore.

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Chargers 1988-2006 throwback. Riddell has already manufactured this helmet in the traditional, chrome, and revolution styles.

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Saints 2025 alternate. This is the same basic design as the black alternate.

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Commanders “Super Bowl throwback alternate.” An homage to the 1979-2019 era, minus the old logo.

Washington Commanders On-Field Alternate Riddell Full Size Replica Speed Helmet Super Bowl Era with Yellow Gold Facemask ​​New 2025

Bengals 1969-80 throwback. I haven’t seen anything official, but it appears Riddell made a factory version this pocket helmet.

Cincinnati Bengals NEW 2025 RIDDELL pocket pro helmet in package 1968-1979

Two more drops: Bears and Browns

The last month was super busy – I’m behind by two drops!

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Bears

The Bears helmet is a throwback to the 1936-37 helmet. The Bears have worn this since 2019.

The Bears have an interesting throwback history:

  • In 1994, the Bears wore a plain navy helmet with a navy facemask as a throwback to, I assume, the 1950’s. There is no factory pocket helmet in this style, although it’s easy to make a custom. I don’t even really know if I would call this a “throwback” as this was the first and only time the Bears wore a plain navy helmet with a navy facemask.
  • In 2010 and again in 2012-18, the Bears wore a plain navy helmet throwback with a grey facemask. This helmet was originally worn in 1955-58. There is no factory pocket helmet for this as well.
  • In 2019, the Bears wore the 1970-73 helmet as a throwback. It has a white C and grey facemask. Riddell made a two-bar and traditional style helmet of this style.
Chicago - HELMET HISTORY
Bears Address Segregated Past Before Wearing 1936 Uniforms This Sunday - WBEZ Chicago

Browns

Not much to say about the Browns helmet. The Browns claim it is an homage to the 1946-51 uniform. Although that leather helmet was plain white, it did not have the stripes. So Cleveland calls it an alternate throwback. They have worn it since 2023. It’s not the most spectacular helmet, in my opinion. But, it is true to the Browns brand and is a nice nod to history. It works well.

The Browns have worn throwbacks before. Most notably, the 1957-59 helmet with the numbers and the plain white stripe. That was worn in 2006-08 and again in 2021. They updated the style with black-white-black stripes in 1960. Riddell made a factory helmet for 1960, but not 1957-59.

Who’s next?

There are 14 left in the 2025 series. Michael Dole has a really nice graphic on the Pocket Helmet facebook site. It appears Riddell is focusing on 2024 and maybe what is upcoming in 2025. The only alternates left from 2024 are the Carindals, Broncos, Texans, Colts, and Chargers. I would think those five are in the que.

Latest counts

  • Total: 26
  • 2024: 15/15
  • 2025: 11/25
  • Throwbacks: 12
  • Alternates: 14

See the Limited Edition site for more details

Giants Drop and Revised Checklist

Riddell dropped the 1981-99 throwback pocket helmet with the GIANTS logo. The Giants have worn this as a throwback since 2022.

Some of you may be thinking: “Wait, the Giants started wearing this throwback annually in 2016, not 2022!” I’ll explain.

Between 1981 and 1999, the helmet with the GIANTS logo was dark blue. In 2000, the Giants switched to the NY logo and changed the color to a lighter, metallic blue. In 2016, the Giants wanted to wear the 1981-99 throwback for some games.

However, the NFL had a one helmet rule. So, the Giants swapped the NY and GIANTS logos on the same helmets. Thus, the 1981-99 throwback the Giants wore in 2016 was metallic blue, not the dark blue the team actually wore.

In 2022, the NFL dropped the one helmet rule. This meant the Giants could wear the GIANTS logo helmet with the darker shade of blue. So, in 2022, they switched the throwback to a dark blue.

I included an updated checklist below. I also updated the Giants team site and will make further updates with photos when my new helmet arrives. I also updated the speed and teams checklist sites.

Other interesting things:

  • The Giants are the only team to have two limited edition series helmets.
  • The Giants have three speed factory helmets, two of which are alternates.
  • This is the 18th limited edition helmet. 9 have been throwbacks and 9 alternates.

Updated Giants Checklist

Giants Pocket Helmet Drop

I like this one! Riddell will drop at Giants pocket size throwback helmet today. It’s a reference to the 1937-47 leather wing front helmet.

From Riddell Collectables

Pocket helmet trivia. This is only the 2nd factory Riddell pocket helmet that references a leather helmet. The other is the 1948 Rams which was part of the throwback series 1 and throwback 2-bar sets.

Leather helmets as contemporary throwbacks. Six teams have worn leather helmets as throwbacks in modern times:

  • The Bears have wore the 1936-37 leather helmet as a every year since 2019.
  • The Packers wore a throwback of sorts in 2010-11. It might be a reference to their original helmet color in the 1920’s through the 1930’s.
  • The aforementioned Giants 1937-47 helmet worn in 2024.
  • The Eagles wore a throwback to their 1933 leather helmet in 2007.
  • The Steelers wore a plain black throwback in 1994 as a tribute to the 1942 team. The 1942 team only wore the plain black leather helmet for two games. I assume it was easier to just remove the sticker.
  • The Commanders wore a plain brown helmet in 2012 as a throwback to the 1932 helmet when the team was the Boston Braves. In 1994 and 2020 the Commanders wore a plain burgundy helmet with a yellow (1994) and grey (2020) facemask. These could be homages to the burgundy leather helmets the Commanders wore in the 1930’s and 40’s.

Throwback / Alternate / Primary Updates

All factory 2024 primary helmets are up to date. These can be purchased online or in pro shops. Riddell has done a good job staying on top of these.

Since Riddell likes to stick to contemporary alternate helmets in the most recent speed style, I would guess the next factory helmets will be the Broncos, Jaguars (white), Jets (2024 black), Texans, or Vikings alternates. I suspect the alternates from the previous few years for the Broncos, Browns, Cardinals, Colts, Commanders, Eagles and Saints would be a lower priority. In terms of a throwback, I would guess the Patriots or the Dolphins.

Recent *Factory* Throwback and Alternate Helmets

Throwbacks:

  • Buccaneers 1976-96 – released in 2024
  • Eagles 1970s80s – – released in 2023
  • Falcons 1966-69- released in 2024
  • Seahawks 1983-2001- released in 2024
  • Giants 1937-47- released in 2024

Alternates:

  • Bears 2022-present (orange)- released in 2024
  • Bengals 2022-present (white)- released in 2023
  • Cowboys 2022-present (white) – released in 2024
  • Lions 2023 – released in 2024 (very rare)
  • Lions 2024 – present – released in 2024
  • Packers 2024-present (white) – released in 2024
  • Panthers 2022-present (black) – released in 2024
  • Ravens 2024-present (purple) – released in 2024

Gaps in Throwbacks and Alternates:

Throwbacks:

  • Bears 1936-37 (three orange stripes) – worn since 2019.
  • Broncos 1976-78 – starting in 2024.
  • Browns 1957-59 (player numbers on helmet) – worn in 2006-08 and 2021.
  • Chargers 1961-73 (white helmet with player number) – worn in the early 2000s. Factory helmet exist in throwback sets, however.
  • Colts 1956-57 (white helmet with horseshoes on back) – worn in 2004 and since 2021.
  • Cowboys 1976 (red white blue stripes) – worn in 2021-22. Also available as a factory throwback, however.
  • Dolphins 1989-96 – wore in the 2003 Thanksgiving game.
  • Dolphins 1966-73 – wore since 2015 as a throwback.
  • Eagles 1933 – wore in 2007 as a throwback
  • Giants 1981-99 – wore since 2016 as a throwback. Factory traditional style helmets exist.
  • Jaguars 1995-12 (factory helmets exist in other styles, however. Revolution, traditional, and 2-bar) – starting in 2024.
  • Jets 1978-89 – worn in 2023 as an alternate. However, Jets adopted this helmet as their primary in 2024. So factory helmets are around.
  • Lions 1954-56 (plain silver with grey facemask) – worn periodically since 2017.
  • Oilers 1960-63 (columbia blue) – wore in 1994 and 2009 as a throwback. Factory throwback helmets in traditional and 2-bar styles exist.
  • Oilers 1975-96 – wore in 2023 as a throwback by the Titans.
  • Packers 1955-50 (plain yellow with a green stripe) – worn in 2001 and 2021.
  • Packers 1920s helmets (plain brown) – worn in 2010-11 and 2022.
  • Patriots 1961-63 – wore in 2009 as a throwback. Factory helmets exist in throwback sets, however.
  • Patriots 1964-81 – wore in 1994 as a throwback. Factory helmets exist in throwback sets, however.
  • Patriots 1982-90 – wore in 2002, 2010-12 and 2023 as a throwback.
  • Vikings 1961-79 – worn in 2007-11 and 2023 as a throwback

Alternates:

  • Bills 1994 (red)
  • Broncos 2016-2023 – color rush
  • Broncos 2023 (white) – old Broncos logo
  • Broncos 2024-present (white) – current Broncos logo
  • Browns 2022-present (white)
  • Cardinals 2016 color rush
  • Cardinals 2022-present (black)
  • Chargers 2016-18 color rush (white)
  • Chargers 2020 alternate (different bolt colors; Chargers wore three helmets)
  • Chargers 2020 alternate (different bolt colors; Chargers wore three helmets)
  • Colts 2023-present (black)
  • Commanders 2022-present (black)
  • Eagles 2022-present (black)
  • Falcons 2016-present (matte black)
  • Jaguars 2024-present (white)
  • Jets 1993 (green)
  • Jets 1994 (green)
  • Jets 2015-18 color rush
  • Jets 2022-23 (black)
  • Jets 2024-present (black)
  • Lions 1994, 2001-02 (plain silver helmet with blue facemask)
  • Lions 2003-04, 08, 10 (plan silver helmet with black facemask)
  • Packers 1994, 2013-19 (plain yellow helmet with a green facemask)
  • Saints 2022-present (black)
  • Texans 2022-2023 (battle red)
  • Texans 2024-present (steel blue)
  • Texans 2024-present (2024 red)
  • Vikings 2024-present (white)