The NFL’s “Rivalries” will continue to deepen in 2026 – meaning the latest expansion of the league’s line of alternate uniforms, which have exploded in popularity.
After debuting the line in 2025, Nike unveiled its eight newest “Rivalries” uniforms combinations on Tuesday, Aug. 25, teams in the NFC North and AFC South seeing their wardrobes grow. The AFC East and NFC West clubs that launched the program last year will also continue to use theirs, the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams set to face off in a highly anticipated Christmas matchup – partially because they’re both pretty good squads (the league's best in my opinion) but also because it will be the first game ever to showcase two teams in Rivalry
unis.
Basically the NFL’s answer to the NBA’s popular "City Edition" uniforms or Major League Baseball’s "City Connect" jerseys, “Rivalries” gear has become “Fanatics’ best-selling merchandise release to date,” per Nike. According to Seahawks and New England Patriots players that I polled before Super Bowl 60, quite a few would have loved to wear their Rivalries duds on Super Sunday … if only the NFL allowed it even as it touts its freshest merch.
“By spotlighting the launch of the AFC South and NFC North Clubs and the passionate communities behind them, we continue to capture the spirit and tradition of football’s greatest divisional rivalries,” said Taryn Hutt, the NFL’s vice president of club marketing.
The new gear will be available for sale via NFL Shop, Nike, Fanatics, team stores and elsewhere Sept. 1.
While we wait to see the new duds under the lights, now is the perfect time to rank the eight new uniforms (from best to worst) based on the sneak peek of the uniforms granted to USA TODAY Sports and as the subsequent team announcements roll through:
T1. Minnesota Vikings
Coming with the endorsement of team legend Randy Moss, who sported the new jersey as part of Nike’s release, the Vikes continue to nicely lean into Minnesota's Norse heritage. The deep purple jersey features a slick new font for the ivory-colored jersey numbers and “Vikings” written above it along with a more metallic gold coloring … perhaps the kind Scandinavians of yore would pillage on a raiding party. But the knotting pattern adorning the sleeves – and might soon be replicated as a tattoo for hardcore fans – takes the cake here. Nicely done. Skol.
Debut date: Dec. 20 vs. Lions
The embodiment of the North 😈https://t.co/h0zACZWDHy pic.twitter.com/E8HFxiiduE
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 25, 2026
T1. Tennessee Titans
The Houston voting precinct notwithstanding, they’ve won the uniform offseason – starting with the reimagined primary look they debuted in March. The “Rivalries” uniform builds on that very effectively, the navy jersey leaning more into the Titans’ Tennessee roots rather than co-opting the Houston Oilers’ classic look. It borrows the nifty "6-String Stripe" element from the new uniforms, adds “Music City” above the jersey numbers and – best of all – a numbering font that evokes a honky tonk. Titans fans should already be clamoring to see these more than once per season.
Debut date: Nov. 15 vs. Jaguars
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 25, 2026
3. Green Bay Packers
A franchise that’s typically struggled to find alternate unis that resonate still isn’t going too far afield. But the new jersey font and striping pattern on the neckline and sleeves – they include very subtle “stock certificate-inspired details” as a nod to the Pack’s communal ownership – are nice enough departures. “Making history since 1919” is stitched inside the neckline of a franchise that is the NFL’s third oldest. The best elements are the return of the old “GB” logo on the shoulder that used to adorn the hat legendary coach Vince Lombardi typically wore in practice and the alabaster color tone that supplants the club’s typical white.
Debut date: Oct. 11 vs. Bears
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Did you know Jacksonville is also known as “Bold City?” Me either, until I saw it on this jersey’s neckline. You have to look closely, but there’s also some gorgeous feline spotting patterned into the jersey numbers. Otherwise, aside from chrome detailing and new number fonts and Jaguars script, this feels like it largely lands squarely in the uniform fairway the Jags tend to live in.
Debut date: Nov. 1 vs. Colts
Fortune favors us.#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/Fdy8vVYjgw
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 25, 2026
5. Indianapolis Colts
It purports to feature “enhanced stripes, high-shine finishes and dark, intense tones designed to evoke power and speed. Horseshoe, ironwork and anvil-inspired details keep the look rooted in Colts tradition.” I see a gray jersey with blue numbers and shoulder stripes that nicely repurpose the grommets from the team’s beloved horseshoe logo. It’s fine even if it underdelivers to some degree.
Debut date: Sept. 27 vs. Texans
within striking distance. ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/uE0V6EQwns
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 25, 2026
6. Detroit Lions
There’s nothing necessarily offensive about it, and the “carbon-fiber-inspired” jersey numbers are a new twist that nod to Motown’s automotive history. But … it also kinda looks like something the Carolina Panthers rejected in the development phase, including the “Defend the Den” phrase written into the neckline. Meh.
Debut date: Nov. 1 vs. Vikings
Every opponent is an intruder. pic.twitter.com/LcMzpfIjuu
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 25, 2026
7. Chicago Bears
The jersey combines familiar elements of the team’s traditional uniforms, including the sock striping added to the shoulders and team founder George Halas’ initials splashed on a football patch just above the numbers. “Monsters of the Midway” is emblazoned inside the neck. The orange pants are a choice but probably the kind of bold stroke this otherwise conservative look needs to pop.
Debut date: Dec. 25 vs. Packers
Inspired by the past. Built for the future. pic.twitter.com/WzxAIyzOcA
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 25, 2026
8. Houston Texans
The all-white “iced out” unis claim to celebrate the “H-Town culture through metallic and chrome finishes inspired by the city’s custom car scene. ‘Be Someone’ bridge-inspired numbers, street-tile patterns and street-name details bring Houston’s identity into the design.” For a team that should be commended for the bold choices of its other alternates, not sure this one really delivers. Maybe the Texans need more time to adapt as the Titans continue to appropriate Houston’s historical football fashion.
Debut date: Nov. 19 vs. Colts
Our city. Our colors. Our uniform. pic.twitter.com/5mnX8j7M4b
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 25, 2026
This story and, perhaps, the ranking will be updated.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking NFL's newly revealed 2026 Nike 'Rivalries' uniforms best to worst
