Two more drops: Bears and Browns

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

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.

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

Jaguars drop!

This is a good one. I personally like the Jaguars helmet because it falls squarely in the ‘less is more’ category. The issue, though, is that the logo kind of bleeds into the black background. So it can look like a gold blob with black dots and a few white stripes. The white helmet highlights the logo in a more effective way.

Jacksonville now has a factory helmet for all of the team’s helmet styles. Unless one counts the 1995-2012 design, which is available in the 2-bar, traditional, chrome and revolution styles. Worn as a throwback in 2024, it’s not available in the speed style.

Who’s left?

There are now 16 left for the 2025 limited editions. I bet we will at least see the Cardinals, Browns, Broncos, Texans, and Colts 2024 alternates this summer. I doubt we will see 2023 or earlier ones as Riddell manufactured the 2025 limited editions in September 2024 (except for the Eagles).

Limited Edition Checklist Update

Throwback / Alternate

  • Throwbacks: 11
  • Alternates: 13

NFC: 16

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

AFC: 8

  • East: 3 – Bills (0/0), Dolphins (1/1), Jets (1/2), Patriots (1/1)
  • North: 1 – Bengals (0/0), Browns (0/1), Ravens (1/1), Steelers (0/1)
  • South: 3 – Colts (0/2), Jaguars (1/2), Texans (1/2), Titans (1/1)
  • West: 1 – Broncos (1/2), Chargers (0/1), Chiefs (0/0), Raiders (0/0)

Release & Manufacture Dates

2024 Limited Edition Speed Series (1 of 2000): release date – team and details – manufacture date

  1. 2024/03/07: Dallas Cowboys 2022-present alternate – 2023/11
  2. 2024/03/28: Seattle Seahawks 1983-2011 throwback – 2023/11
  3. 2024/04/18: Chicago Bears 2022-present alternate – 2023/11
  4. 2024/05/09: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-96 throwback – 2023/11
  5. 2024/05/30: Carolina Panthers 2022-present alternate – 2023/11
  6. 2024/06/20: Atlanta Falcons 1966-69 throwback – 2023/11
  7. 2024/08/01: Green Bay Packers 2024-present alternate – 2024/05
  8. 2024/08/15: Detroit Lions 2024-present alternate – 2024/05
  9. 2024/09/05: Baltimore Ravens 2024-present alternate – 2024/05
  10. 2024/09/12: New York Giants 2024 throwback throwback – 2024/05
  11. 2024/09/26: Denver Broncos 1993-96 throwback – 2024/05
  12. 2024/10/17: New England Patriots 1982-90 throwback – 2024/05
  13. 2024/11/07: New Orleans Saints 2022-present alternate – 2024/05
  14. 2024/11/18: Miami Dolphins 1966-69 throwback – 2024/05
  15. 2024/12/19: Houston Oilers 1981-96 throwback – 2024/05

2025 Limited Edition Speed Series (1 of 525): release date – team and details – manufacture date

  1. 2025/01/23: Philadelphia Eagles 2022-present alternate – 2024/05
  2. 2025/02/06: Minnesota Vikings 2024-present alternate – 2024/09
  3. 2025/02/20: New York Giants throwback (GIANTS logo) – 2024/09
  4. 2025/03/06: San Francisco 49ers throwback – 2024/09
  5. 2025/03/20: Houston Texans 2024-present alternate (H logo) – 2024/09
  6. 2025/04/10: Washington CommandersĀ 2022-present alternate — 2024/09
  7. 2025/04/17: Dallas Cowboys white throwback – 2024/09
  8. 2025/05/01: New York Jets 2024-present alternate – 2024/09
  9. 2025/05/14: Jacksonville Jaguars 2024-present alternate

Who will be next?

The limited edition speed helmets have focused on contemporary designs. So, I am guessing a design for the rest of 2025 must have been worn in 2024 or in the upcoming 2025 season. I would not anticipate a design from 2023 or earlier (like the 2023 Lions alternate). But who knows?

There are nine 2024 alternates still available for Riddell to tap into:

  1. Arizona Cardinals black
  2. Cleveland Browns white
  3. Denver Broncos white
  4. Houston Texans red
  5. Indianapolis Colts black
  6. Jacksonville Jaguars white
  7. LA Chargers (dark blue bolt)
  8. New York Jets black
  9. Washington Commanders black

There are also ten 2024 throwbacks:

  1. Dallas Cowboys silver with the red-white-blue stripes
  2. Dallas Cowboys white 1960
  3. Chicago Bears three-striped
  4. NY Jets 1965-77 white
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars black
  6. Minnesota Vikings (albiet in the lighter modern purple)
  7. New Orleans Saints
  8. Green Bay Packers plain yellow
  9. Indianapolis Colts white
  10. Pittsburgh Steelers (grey facemask)

There are 20 limited spots open. They could easily be filled by the 18 above, but I think that’s unlikely. I think nearly all of the alternates get made. Other spots will be filled with maybe a few 2024 throwbacks and new alternates/throwbacks in 2025.

2020 – 2023 potentials

I personally think it’s highly unlikely Riddell will go back this far. But in case, here are the candidates:

  1. Atlanta Falcons 2016-21 matte black alternate
  2. Buffalo Bills 1965-73 throwback
  3. Cleveland Browns 1957-59 throwback (player #)
  4. Denver Broncos 2016-22 midnight blue alternate
  5. Denver Broncos 2023 white alternate
  6. Detroit Lions 2023 honolulu blue alternate
  7. Detroit Lions 1955-56 plain silver throwback
  8. Houston Texans 2022 battle red alternate
  9. Kansas City Chiefs 2019 and 2021 “alternate” with grey facemask
  10. LA Chargers 2020-23 white alternate – yellow bolt with dark blue outline
  11. NY Jets 2022-23 black alternate

Limited Edition Counts

Throwback / Alternate

  • Throwbacks: 10
  • Alternates: 10

NFC: 14

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

AFC: 6

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

Release & Manufacture Dates

Houston Texans Pocket Helmet Drop

Image

The 2024 Texans alternate is the 5th 2025 limited edition and 20th overall (including 2024). There have been 10 alternates and 10 throwbacks. So everything is even steven now.

I don’t personally perfer helmet logos that are letters, but this one is pretty sharp. I like the attention to detail with the red flakes and Texans logo on the back. I also like this helmet because it’s difficult to make a customized version. The factory helmets are obviously sharper and cleaner.

The battle red from 2022 is one of my favorite alternates. I doubt Riddell will make that one as it is from a few years ago. In fact, this would have been a great opportunity to make team set: 2022 battle red alternate and the two 2024 alternates.

Updated Buccaneers Checklist

I appreciate feedback on my site and checklists. On a recent Buccaneers post, fellow collector Steve noted discrepancies in the modern Revolution pocket helmet flag size.

The two helmets on the left are from the same era and are representative of that style. In 2014, the Bucs changed the helmet color, logo and facemask. This is the middle revolution style helmet in the photo below. The next helmet on the right – the speed helmet – continued that style. The final helmet on the right is the helmet the Bucs currently wear today.

One may notice an anomoly with the middle revolution helmet. Although the flag is the same as the modern helmet, it’s noticably smaller. The actual flag was larger, as shown in the flags on the right. I suspect Riddell figured it couldn’t fit the sword hilt by the ear hole and reduced the size. Regardless, the actual helmet flag was similar in size to the flags on the speed helmet.

I also discovered the Bucs darkened in the pewter color in 2014. That color remains to this day.

So, this is a helmet error. Thanks to Steve for pointing this out! I updated the Bucs, revolution and teams websites to reflect this change.

Someday, I am going to research the 1976-96 creamsickle helmet facemask colors. Riddell has manufactured three helmets from this era: a two-bar, traditional, and speed as part of the 2024 limited edition series. They all have different colors. The two-bar is noticeably red. The traditional is orange. The speed is more of a bay orange color. And Riddell apparently manufactured a two-bar helmet with a grey facemask!

See the NFL hex colors website for more information on where I got “bay orange” from!

Saints Helmet Colors

When my new factory Saints alternate helmet arrived, I reevaluated the gold helmet colors. I noticed six different shades of pocket helmets, as shown in the photo below. The photo below displays the helmets in chronological order, from left to right.

I had to estimate some of the dates. And even though the pocket helmet color changed, in some instances I could find no evidence the actual helmet color changed on sites like the Gridiron Uniform Database, which has the Saints wearing seven different shades of gold in 1967-72, 1973-74, 1975-76, 1978-98, 1988-99, 2000-11, and 2012-present. Other sources have different information and dates. I wish the SaintsĀ helmets over the years siteĀ had better photos to compare.

So, I created the list below. It’s likely not entirely representative of actual helmet colors, so I wouldn’t refer to this list as definitive. But, I believe it’s definitive for pocket size helmets. Zoom in on the photo below to see the different shades.

  1. 1967-75: Old gold helmet, classic fleur de lis logo, grey facemask (traditional; this photo actually displays the 1968 version with the reversed stripes). This color and dates are confirmed.
  2. 1976-99: Gold helmet, classic fleur de lis logo, black facemask (traditional). This is the most obvious color change. This color and dates are confirmed.
  3. 2000-04: Light gold helmet, classic fleur de lis logo, black facemask (traditional). The color change here is subtle, but can be seen by zooming in. New Orleans did update the logo this year. So it makes sense the color would change as well. Research indicates the Saints kept this shade of gold until 2011. However, the Revolution style helmet, which entered into production around 2005, is noticeably different.
  4. 2005-11: Metallic gold helmet, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask (revolution). The revolution style helmet has a noticeably strong metallic colors.
  5. 2012-14: Light metallic gold helmet, Metallic Gold, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask (revolution). The Saints did change the shade of gold in 2012. And most claim that the color has remained consistent to this day. However, the newer revolution helmet is lighter and closer to the pre-2011 revolution helmet color than the contemporary speed gold helmet. I estimated the dates.
  6. 2015-present: Antique gold, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask. This matches the contemporary color. Again, the date is an estimate based on the year Riddell started manufacturing helmets in the speed style.

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

The Collector’s Dilemma

The Vikings alternate pocket helmet sold out fast. In about an hour in fact. I think this could be a problem.

Four Types of Collectors

There are three types of collectors who buy pocket helmets. There are serious collectors, like myself. Next, there are casual buyers who think the helmets are kind of cool. Maybe they only buy helmets for their favorite teams. And finally, kids. I thought gumball helmets were the best growing up, but I never saw them as collectables. They were toys.

There’s a fourth type who aren’t collectors. They’re hoarders. They purchase as many as they can and sit on them, hoping for a profit in the long run. This isn’t a criticism and I am in no way criticizing what they do. They see an opportunity and jump on it. Hoarders seems like a bad term, but I can’t think of a better one šŸ™‚

The Problem

The 2024 limited edition pocket helmets had a run of 2000, which seemed like a perfect number. It’s just enough to accomodate everyone. And it generally took a few months for them to sell out. That model worked really well and was a lot of fun.

In 2025, however, the run is limited to 525 helmets. Most of the helmets went to the hoarders, with one seller having as many 40 available on ebay. They are going for about $30 (including shipping), a significant markup from buying from Riddell directly ($16 including shipping). If a hoarder sells 20, that’s almost $300 in profit. Not too bad, but not worth the time and hassle for many others.

But if a regular or casual collector has to spend about $30 for each helmet from a hoarder, that’s about $700 in one year. That price point is likely too much for many collectors. I was prepared to spend $375 this year, but not $700. I would probably stop collecting and maybe focus on making my own custom helmets.

Not to mention the logistics of coordinating one’s schedule to fit the narrow 60 minute purchase window. I feel like a run of 525 with nearly unlimited purchase amounts could hurt the market, similar to what happened to baseball cards in the early 1990’s.

Maybe the hoarders will find their strategy didn’t work, that they overestimated the market, and will back off. That will open up things up somewhat. Time will tell.

Solutions

  • One strategy would be to up the production to 2000. Or maybe do two runs of 525. Another option is to limit purchases to 5 or less helmets per order.
  • I think it would be cool if Riddell sold blank shells so individuals could make their own helmets. Or offer 3D print files for free or for sale.
  • Another idea is to sell some of the limited editions in 2, 4, 8 or more sets.
  • A final option is to give up the idea of selling the helmets as limited editions and open the market.

Vikings Pocket Helmet Drop

Here it is: the 2nd drop of the 25 helmet 2025 limited edition series. The Minnesota Vikings 2024 alternate.

This makes a total of 17 limited edition helmets. Since 23 more will produced in 2025, that will make a total of 40 in two years.

There are a lot of options to choose from this year to fill out the other 23. I would definitely anticipate more alternates from the list below.

One issue would be alternates from the last few years that have been discontinued. The Broncos have 2 alternates from before 2024 (one white and the other midnight blue). Or the Lions and Texans 2023 alternates. I will be curious to see how far back Riddell goes. Maybe they could surprise with a throwback or alternate in a 2-bar or traditional style, like the 1994 Bills alternate (traditional) or 1960 Chargers (2-bar).

Potential Alternates and Throwbacks for the Next Drop

  • Bears 1933 throwback (three orange stripes)
  • Browns 2022 alternate white and maybe the 1957-59 throwback (last worn in 2021)
  • Broncos 2016-23 alternate midnight blue; and 2023 and 2024 whites (3 total)
  • Cardinals 2023 alternate black
  • Chargers alternates (2)
  • Chiefs 2023 alternate, grey facemask
  • Colts 2022 alternate black and 1956-57 throwback
  • Commanders 2022 alternate black, 2020 plain burgundy, grey facemask alternate,
  • Cowboys 1976 throwback (last worn in 2022)
  • Giants 1981-99 throwback
  • Jaguars 2024 alternate white and 1995-2012 throwback
  • Jets 2022-23 alternate black, 2024 alternate black, 2015-18 alternate white, and 1965-77 throwback
  • Lions 2023 alternate honolulu blue and 2000s plain silver throwback
  • Packers plain brown throwback (last worn in 2022), plain yellow throwback with green facemask (last worn in 2019) and plain yellow with green stripe and grey facemask (last worn in 2021)
  • Saints 1976-99 throwback
  • Texans 2022-23 alternate battle red; 2024 alternate battle red and alternate stell blue (3 total)
  • Vikings 1961-75 throwback
  • 49ers 1989-95 throwback

2024 Limited Edition Speed Series (1 of 2000)

  1. Atlanta Falcons 1966-69: Red helmet, grey facemask, gold-white-black-white-gold stripes, floating feather lines, V-neck
  2. Baltimore Ravens 2024-present alternate: Purple helmet, front facing Ravens logo, gold tapered stripes, gold facemask
  3. Carolina Panthers 2022-present alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, tapered Carolina blue stripes, Carolina blue panther
  4. Chicago Bears 2022-present alternate: Orange helmet, navy facemask, navy ā€œCā€ with white outline
  5. Dallas Cowboys 2022-present alternate: White helmet, white facemask, blue star with blue and white outline
  6. Denver Broncos 1993-96 throwback: Royal blue helmet, 93-96 D logo, orange-white-orange stripes, white facemask
  7. Detroit Lions 2024-present alternate: Honolulu blue helmet, modern black lion with white/black outline, black/white/black/white/black/white/black stripes, black facemask
  8. Green Bay Packers 2024-present alternate: White helmet, G logo, white facemask
  9. Miami Dolphins 1966, 69-73 (2015-present throwback): White helmet, dolphin #1 inside ring, aqua-white-orange-white-aqua stripes, grey facemask
  10. New England Patriots 1982-90 (2002, 2010-12, 2022-present throwback): White helmet, Pat Patriot logo, red-white-blue-white-red stripes, white facemask
  11. New Orleans Saints 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, tapered gold/black stripe, modern fleur de lis logo
  12. New York Giants 2024 throwback: Blue helmet, red stripes and wings, grey facemask
  13. Seattle Seahawks 1983-2011 (2023 – present throwback): Silver helmet, classic Seahawk, blue facemask
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-96 (2023-present throwback): White helmet, Buccaneer logo, red-orange-red stripes, orange facemask
  15. Tennessee Titans / Houston Oilers 1981-96 (2023-present throwback): White helmet, blue derrick with red outline, red facemask, red-white-blue-white-red stripes

2025 Limited Edition Speed Series (1 of 500)

  1. Minnesota Vikings 2024 alternate: White helmet, off-white horn with purple outline, silver-grey-silver stripes, silver facemask
  2. Philadelphia Eagles 2022-present alternate: Black helmet, modern wing, black facemask

A new collectable

Riddell introduced a new collectable helmet titled the “midi.” At 7.5 inches, it’s in between a mini and a full size helmet. Riddell generally makes five types of collectables. There are varying alternates and throwbacks in all the styles.

  1. Full size – about 11 inches
  2. Midi (new) – about 7.5 inches
  3. Mini – about 5.5 inches
  4. Helmet of Players – about 4 inches
  5. Pocket – about 2 inches
  6. Trackers – about 1.5 inches

Some may wonder: what was the helmet of players? The helmet of players was a large helmet that included tiny figures, kind of like army men. They were made in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, I guess. They had the same packaging as pocket helmets from the time. I purchased a KC Chiefs one and would like to collect all the teams. They go for about $25 each on eBay, so I will likely stick with my one Chiefs helmet šŸ™‚

NEW Green Bay Packers Riddell Mini Helmet of Players NOS

Helmets not manufactured by Riddell

Another type of helmet is, of course, the classic gumball collectable helmet. However, Riddell does not manufacture gumball helmets. These came in a variety of types.

There’s also a helmet I see a lot of called the “Mighty Mini.” These helmets look a lot like pocket helmets, but are more squat and have the team name on the front (Pocket helmets are usually blank or have the Riddell logo on the front). I speculate these were made in the late 90s through the mid 2000s. I have no idea who manufactured them, however. Maybe it was Riddell?

NFL Plastic MIGHTY Mini Helmets Lot Of 9 - San Francisco, Buffalo, Kansas City.. - Picture 1 of 8