The Washington Commanders’ updated look for 2026 is getting plenty of attention, and one national ranking has it near the top of the league.
Sports Illustrated recently ranked all 32 NFL uniform kits for 2026, and the Commanders landed at No. 8. That slot reflects a set that mixes the old and the new: the team is bringing its Super Bowl-era throwbacks into a primary role after using them as a season-long nod to the past, while also introducing a fresh alternate called the “Hail Raiser.”
That black alternate has already drawn some debate because of the spear running through the traditional W on the helmet, but the overall design has been widely praised for its balance of heritage and modern style. Team owner Josh Harris described the approach this way: “Updating but not forgetting about our heritage, who we are, and honoring that,” he said. “ … We’re going to continue to embrace our past, but then update it.”
The Commanders’ new setup also means the unpopular uniforms that debuted in 2022 are gone, replaced by a look that leans harder into the franchise’s identity. And if you’ve seen the renderings, the black version makes a strong first impression. Adam Schefter shared a tweet about it on April 15, and the reaction around the design has been hard to miss.
The top seven teams in the Sports Illustrated ranking were the Houston Texans at No. 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No.
6, Cincinnati Bengals at No. 5, Baltimore Ravens at No.
4, Dallas Cowboys at No. 3, San Francisco 49ers at No. 2, and Los Angeles Chargers at No.
The jersey schedule hasn’t been released yet, but once it is, the debut of the black “Hail Raiser” look will be the one to circle.
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