The 1991 Topps throwback inserts are the best cards in 2026 Flagship

Flagship is back, and the thing I keep pulling out of the pile isn't a base card. It's the 1991 Topps throwback inserts. If you remember that old white-bordered, blocky-banner look, Topps rebuilt it for the 35th anniversary, and it works.

There are two 50-card sets, and they split the job cleanly. 1991 Topps Football (91TF-1 to 91TF-50) is the stars-and-veterans side: Marvin Harrison Jr. opens it at 91TF-1, Travis Hunter is 91TF-2, and it runs through guys like Jahmyr Gibbs, Jalen Hurts, CJ Stroud and Drake Maye, and closes on Sam Darnold at 91TF-50. 1991 Topps Rookies (91TR-1 to 91TR-50) is the rookie side. It mirrors the first 50 base rookies (#301–350) in the same order, so Fernando Mendoza leads it at 91TR-1.

What I'm chasing

Honestly? The numbered 35th Anniversary colors. The parallels are where an insert like this turns from a nice pull into a card you hold onto, and relic and autograph versions exist as separate SSP chases on top of that. I haven't pulled one of those yet. When I do, it's going in the personal binder before it gets anywhere near a listing.

The base inserts are a different story. They're the kind of card that pays for the next pack. We've got a handful of them in the shop right now: Jayden Daniels (91TF-44), Nico Collins (91TF-47), Drake Maye (91TF-46), Jonathan Taylor (91TF-49), Micah Parsons (91TF-40), Jordan Love (91TF-42) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (91TF-36), plus Arvell Reese (91TR-46) from the rookie side. Stock moves as I list, so the checklist pages are the live source.

One thing worth knowing if you're completing a set: because 91TR copies the base rookie order, you can map any insert straight back to its base card. The 91TF side is a mix, so check the number before you assume.

More rips coming. Whatever pays for the next box gets listed, and the keepers stay in the binder.

Filed under: Football · Topps · 2026 Topps Flagship Football · 2026 · checklist-drop