2026 NFL Draft hats explained: What's inside each team's cap

Sports Memorabilia and Collectibles This year each NFL Draft hat has team-specific imagery printed on the inside. All images courtesy of New Era Share article3When it comes to the hats that will be handed out on-stage at the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Last year’s draft hats were highlighted by team-specific pins, but this year’s design features custom graphics inside the front crown of each hat (and a standard NFL Draft logo pin, because pins are still in). All draftees will be handed a New Era 9FIFTY design with a snapback fit that features metallic detailing and the team name on the closure, but the hats will also be available in 59FIFTY (fitted) and various other styles. Here’s a guide to every team’s hat and what’s on the inside: The Cardinals draft hat features a design with the silhouette of their helmet logo, the “AZ” abbreviation for Arizona and a “Southwest-inspired pattern.” Or maybe it is a Rorschach test that reveals whether the wearer still sees Kyler Murray in a Cardinals uniform. Slogan inside the hat: “Rise Up Red Sea” No bird silhouettes for the Dirty Birds, but the Falcons’ draft hat has plenty of fruit. Georgia peaches, specifically. You can almost hear that song “Peaches” from the rock group the Presidents of the United States of America when you look at it. But hey, the ‘90s are in style, right? Slogan inside the hat: “Rise Up” (Ed. note: everyone except the Red Sea, presumably) The Maryland state flag flows strong on the inside of the Ravens’ hat. Or perhaps this is a University of Maryland football helmet and we just don’t know it. As much as Marylanders love their state flag, this should be quite popular in Charm City. Slogan inside the hat: “Play Like A Raven” The inside of the Bills’ hat is all about currency, with a close up of a stash of buffalo nickels (none of which were used to extend Josh Allen). Slogan inside the hat: “The Nickel City” You might have to look closely to see the intimidating set of panther eyes in this hat. If the Panther on the inside of this cap could blink, it would look like there’s nothing there. Slogan inside the hat: “Keep Pounding” So far it’s hard to argue that putting local flags inside draft caps wasn’t a great choice. The Bears hat has the flag for the city of Chicago. Slogan inside the hat: “Monsters of the Midway” That’s not a rug from the ‘70s. Inside this hat is the orange and black striped pattern of a bengal tiger. Slogan inside the hat: “Who Dey” A “Beware of Dawg” sign and an image of a “dawg” behind a metal fence will greet the Browns’ draft selections when they are handed this cap. Slogan inside the hat: “Dawg Pound” The Cowboys hat has an American Flag for “America’s Team.” Your loyalty, or lack thereof, to the Cowboys likely determines if you agree with that distinction. Slogan inside the hat: “America’s Team” The beautiful Rocky Mountains grace the inside of the Broncos hat to welcome draftees to the Mile High City. It’s like having a Bob Ross painting pressed against your head. Slogan inside the hat: “Broncos Country” const eBayApiUrl="https://api.theathletic.com"; What could be mistaken for a CGI shot in a “Fast and Furious” movie is actually an appropriate close-up of an engine inside the Lions hat. Slogan inside the hat: “The Motor City” The Packers hat features a look at the famous “frozen tundra” of Lambeau Field with an image that will likely make the team’s draftees wish they were handed a winter knit cap instead. Slogan inside the hat: “Go Pack Go” Inside the Texans hat are two distinct logos: the Houston “H” that is featured on the team’s alternate helmets, as well as an anniversary logo celebrating 25 years in the NFL. Slogan inside the hat: “H’s Up, H-Town.” You can’t have a horse shoe without anvils and hammers, and that’s exactly what you’ll find inside the Colts hat, a representation of the team’s tradition of hitting an anvil before every home game. Slogan inside the hat: “For The Shoe” Very similar to the Bengals hat, the Jaguars hat designer said, “What if we zoomed in on the ribs of a jaguar, what would it look like?” Slogan inside the hat: “Duuuval” (what else?) Enjoy this neon red look at Arrowhead Stadium’s pregame player entrance setup. It’s just a shame they couldn’t add a device that shoots smoke when someone puts the hat on. Slogan inside the hat: “Chiefs Kingdom” The skulls inside the Raiders hat don’t represent how long the fan base will have to continue to wait to draft a franchise quarterback. There’s also an image of Allegiant Stadium above that pile of skulls. Slogan inside the hat: “Once a Raider Always a Raider” No surprises here for the Chargers’ draftees. When they put this hat on they’ll see bolts of lightning on the inside. Team slogan inside the hat: “Bolt Up” The Rams have a new logo (basically, the same as before, but now with more yellow!) and the inside of their 2026 draft cap is a nod to their “Vamos Rams” (the team’s Spanish-language fan outreach program) designs. Slogan inside the hat: “Rams House” When you think of the Dolphins you automatically think of Don Shula, Dan Marino throwing long, going undefeated and palm trees. But only the palm trees greet you on the inside of the team’s draft hat. As fun as dolphins are to look at, it’s amazing they didn’t make the cut. Slogan inside the hat: “Go Fins” The winner for the NFL Draft hat with the most “Game of Thrones” vibes on the inside of it goes to the Vikings with two shadowy viking longships. Slogan inside the hat: “Skol Vikings” The classic Patriot Pat logo, which served as the team’s original and now throwback look is a great callback on the inside of the team’s hat. Slogan inside the hat: “#foreverNE” (Ed. note: Are hashtags still a thing in 2026?) The silhouettes of a band with golden brass instruments marching along the streets of New Orleans might just be the best interior design in the 2026 NFL Draft hat class. Slogan inside the hat: “Go Saints” With all the iconic New York City imagery to choose from, the inside of this hat features the team’s “NY” helmet logo on one side and “GO BIG BLUE” beside it. That’s all. Slogan inside the hat: “NYFG” (New York Football Giants) Classic Jets logos of the past decorate the inside of this hat, but Joe Namath is still not walking through the door. Slogan inside the hat: “J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS” If you were expecting anything less than a bold bald eagle on the inside of the Eagles hat you are going to be severely disappointed. Slogan inside the hat: “Go Birds” There are few things cooler than making the inside of the Steelers hat look like a Terrible Towel, which is exactly what was done. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some of these hats waving around during Pittsburgh home games alongside the actual towels. Slogan inside the hat: “Home of the 2026 NFL Draft” The 49ers’ past stadiums are inside their hat. Not seen is the controversial electrical substation next to their current stadium. Slogan inside the hat: “Forever Faithful” With that Eagles having already used an entire bird for the inside of their hat, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks zoomed in and focused on the wing of their feathered friend and longtime mascot Taima the Hawk. Slogan inside the hat: “12 As One” The Buccaneers obviously didn’t consult with the Dolphins on who had dibs on palm trees as the inside of Tampa Bay’s hat is strikingly similar. The Florida vibes are strong but it’s surprising a pirate ship wasn’t used. Maybe the Vikings ship wouldn’t allow it? Slogan inside the hat: “We Are The Krewe” The burning blue flame on the inside of the Titans hat is supposed to represent the team’s “Titan heritage,” but it kind of looks like a cool ad for tough actin’ Tenactin. Slogan inside the hat: “Titans of Tennessee” The Commanders cherry blossom design (by artist Chris Pyrate) didn’t make it onto their new uniforms that debuted last week, but this is another example of a Washington sports team taking advantage of the popularity of cherry blossoms on sports memorabilia in the Nation’s Capital. Slogan inside the hat: “HTTC” (Hail to the Commanders) The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. 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