The History of the NFL dates back to the 1920s. In its rich history, the NFL has had many logos that have been categorized under primary, alternate, and wordmark logos.
But the current pattern of the NFL logo we all see today was created in 2008 and had a marketing team that creates different versions of the logos when they deem it fit. Each logo is intended to pass a message across to its viewers.
In this post, we look at the logos of all 32 NFL teams ranked according to their helmet logo designs, which are considerable features of their respective team identities.
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Table of Contents
Ranking the Worst NFL Team Logos & Helmets
32. New Orleans Saints
The Fleur-de-lis, which means “flower of the lily” in French is a logo design they use to pay tribute to the Big Easy heritage, making it a great representation of the New Orleans culture. Webster denotes it as ‘the opponents not trembling in fear.’
31. Carolina Panthers
The only fault with the logo is the panther cut in an untactful manner from the shoulders, thereby reducing the aesthetics due to the head being awkwardly turned to whoever sees it, which makes it quite a little creepy.
30. Washington Commanders
The Commanders logo design is much better than the previous one who made no sense as it objectified the Native Americans. The proud warrior’s logo is like a nested doll with a circle repeating another set of feathers that doesn’t appeal to the eyes. Using just feathers would’ve been more appropriate as the point would have still been passed. Changing the name and logo was a smart move.
29. Cleveland Browns
The Browns take the adage of simplicity in logo designing to an extreme. No team has their logo as just plain orange color. Yes, ‘simplicity rules’ as they always say, but they abused it. The 1940s brownie they once used is preferable.
28. Arizona Cardinals
The cardinal bird used as their logo lacks personality because the bird looks angry and haggard. A much better preference would be the logo of the Louisville Cardinals.
27. New England Patriots
The stoned-faced man wearing a tricorn hat (a doppelganger of John Kerry the politician, as some may say) is the Patriots’ logo design. The only problem with the logo is that it is unrealistic. This is because the swoosh lines don’t look believable. On a more serious note, the American forefathers were old white men who wore powdered wigs; implying that they never moved that fast.
26. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions’ logo brings to bear a lion on its hind legs with a medieval look. Despite the update done on the logo in 2017, the Lions’ logo still looks uninspiringly flat.
25. Miami Dolphins
The jumping, stodgy dolphin on the Miami Dolphins’ helmet was updated last in 2013. This update was intended to give the logo a more inspiring look, but it ended up flat.
24. Tennessee Titans
The colors used for the logo design are solid and work really well. ‘The flaming thumbtack’ as it is sometimes called, would make a way better logo if it was comic book-worthy attached to a superhero titan.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Designed originally for the U.S. Steel Industry for marketing purposes, the 1960s Steelmark –hypocycloid based logo was adopted by the Steelers’ to pay homage to both America and the Steel Industry, and also happens to be the best in Steel city.
22. Baltimore Ravens
On the Baltimore Ravens logo is a raven’s head with a letter “B” sitting bossily in the middle. The yellowish background bordered by the black lines gives the logo some sort of gloomy coloring. The logo exudes and instills fear more than it does inspiration.
21. Green Bay Packers
The not-at-all intimidating and somewhat dated football-shaped “G” for the Packers is overly simple to the extent that the University of Georgia was granted limited permission by their franchise to use a similar logo.
Ranking the Good NFL Team Logos & Helmets
20. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams football helmet is designed with swirling horns representing a bighorn sheep as a logo that signifies the brutal game, like any other logo. Nevertheless, the preferable1980s blue and yellow color combinations are much more striking.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pirate’s menacing Jolly Roger flag with a featured grinning skull is one logo design you can never go wrong with, although the large scaling is a disadvantage when it comes to the helmet. ‘Supersize it’ as someone once said, was over-exaggerated. But it still looks nice.
18. New York Jets
This team’s logo is one that remains unchanged since its first use in 1964 with the exception of the streamlined version that appeared between 1978 and 1997. The football and J-E-T-S design remain an epitome of simplicity; thereby having it work for them back then until today.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
For a realistically-rendered angry cat logo, the Jags pulled it off way better than the Panthers; and fortunately for them, it gets better and better.
16. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers like the Packers use their initials for team representation on their helmets, unlike the former, a mustachioed 49er firing revolvers in celebration of victory. Interesting right?
15. Indianapolis Colts
Despite the outdated style, the bucking colt with a helmet flying off in its logo design cannot be beaten. The next best thing is the horseshoe – simple, iconic, and classic.
14. New York Giants
The simplicity of the “NY” logo for the Giants is powerful – there isn’t too much detail, and it has been a classic from as early as the 1961 season.
13. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons boasts of a logo with a falcon as its major symbolism. However, one could argue that the falcon on the logo doesn’t look much like a real falcon. But it readily brings to mind the spirit of a conquering raptor, and I think that’s all that matters.
12. Denver Broncos
The upright, snorting logo of the Broncos was last updated in the 70s and 80s thereby making it streamlined and aggressive the more with the horse’s head and mane looking like its flying fast; just as it should.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
I don’t think there’s any other better way for their eagle to soar other than having perfectly placed wings on their helmet.
Ranking the Best NFL Team Logos & Helmets
10. Minnesota Vikings
The 3-Dimensional illusion design of the horn logo design on the Vikings helmet is a projection that protrudes out. Though it is unconvincing, the resulting logo’s size and shape are perfect for the helmet, like the Nike swoosh.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Bills logo has improved vastly over the old version that seemed to have been shot. It looks charged with a single swoosh line in red.
8. Seattle Seahawks
A well-fitted horizontal design on the helmet is one of the most striking yet stylistic features of the logo that gives the native culture a nod.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
It is often said that action and courage are represented in the color red, and that is what the City Chiefs are known for. Astonishing is the white arrowhead’s design that faces their opponent like spears ready for battle.
6. Chicago Bears
The “C” on the Bears’ helmet has not changed since its existence in the early 60’s as it simply stands on its own with the striking color combination of dark navy blue and burnt orange.
5. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders logo has not been messed with over the years yet it is still fascinating. Could the logo be modernized? Yes. But the right question is: should it be modernized? Well, it’s a matter of opinion. You know.
4. Houston Texans
The longhorn cattle and the lone star, which makes up the essence of Texas State, are captured in the Texans’ logo design. The logo was redesigned in 1999 after their loss to the Oilers in 1996. The design is artful but straightforward too.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
With a full helmet design of orange and black stripes, the Bengals sure do know a suitable way of branding their football team effortlessly.
2. Dallas Cowboys
This logo represents “The Lone Star State” of Texas. It is one of the best NFL logos out there. Look closely at the logo, and all you see is a logo that symbolizes peace, toughness. The blue color informs the grace, composed, and coordinated approach of the team. Just take a look at it. Isn’t it awesome?
1. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers made an excellent choice arching lightning bolts over the dome of the plain NFL helmet, very cool idea!
Final Words
And there you have all 32 NFL logos and team helmets ranked from the worst to the best, though it is still debatable. Of course, the decision was indeed tough due to the similarities in style. While some of the designs are kind of bizarre, some are flipping amazing.
Hope you enjoyed this article. Share your thoughts on this NFL logos ranking in the comment section below.
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