Peyton Manning and Eli Manning and Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce are among some of football’s most acclaimed pairs of brothers to play in the NFL.
Peyton was initially drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, nearly six years before little brother Eli was picked up by the San Diego Chargers. Eli was eventually traded to the New York Giants while Peyton joined the Denver Broncos in 2012, helping them clinch a Super Bowl victory. He retired in 2016.
After watching his big brother step back from the NFL, Eli continued to play for the Giants until his January 2020 retirement.
“I think I’m more newly retired than he, so I hope I can throw [a pass] better than him, but who knows?” Eli exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2022, joking about how their athletic skills changed once leaving the league. “I don’t think anyone wants to see that right now.”
The Kelce brothers have also made their names known on their respective NFL team. Jason, for his part, was drafted in 2011 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Travis joined the league two years later when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Scroll below to meet the professional football players and their brothers who have played in the NFL:
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Christian, Max and Luke McCaffrey
Ed McCaffrey, a retired Super Bowl champ, shares four sons with wife Lisa McCaffrey, who all play football. Max was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016 one year before Christian entered the NFL Draft and was chosen to join the Carolina Panthers. The running back was eventually traded to the San Francisco 49ers and helped lead the team to a 2024 Super Bowl appearance, which they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Luke, meanwhile, was drafted by the Washington Commanders in April 2024.
The trio’s other brother, Dylan, currently plays football at the University of North Colorado.
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Jason and Travis Kelce
While Travis and the Chiefs play in the AFC division, his big brother plays in the NFC conference. Travis and Jason became the first brothers to face off in the Super Bowl during the February 2023 championship, which the Chiefs narrowly won.
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Peyton and Eli Manning
Since the Louisiana natives retired from NFL, they launched their Manningcast recap series on ESPN2 in 2021.
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J.J., Derek and T.J. Watt
J.J., the oldest Watt brother, retired from the Arizona Cardinals in December 2022. His younger brothers Derek and T.J. play for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.
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Aaron and Jordan Rodgers
Aaron is the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, where he’s played since 2005. His youngest brother, Jordan, followed in his NFL footsteps when he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2013. The Bachelorette alum was released that July before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad. Jordan — who has since had a public falling-out with his big brother — has since become a sports commentator.
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Dan, Chris and Rob Gronkowski
Rob, who goes by the moniker “Gronk,” played for the New England Patriots following the 2010 draft. While he initially retired in 2019, he walked back his decision one year later to join former teammate Tom Brady and the Bucs. Rob also comes from a football dynasty. Brother Dan has played for the Detroit Lions, the Broncos, the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns. Chris, for his part, was a member of the Dallas Cowboys, the Colts and the Broncos until his 2013 retirement.
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Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin
Shaquill was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2017, one year before twin Shaquem joined the team. Shaquill has since been traded to the Jaguars while Shaquem retired in 2022.
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Devin and Jason McCourty
Twins Devin and Jason both played for the Patriots after Jason was traded from the Broncos in 2018. (Jason later retired in July 2022.)
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Ryan and Matt Kalil
Ryan was a center for the Carolina Panthers before his 2019 retirement, while his younger brother — who joined him in North Carolina for the 2017 season — plays for the Texans.
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Michael and Martellus Bennett
The defensive end was drafted in 2001, nearly seven years before Martellus entered the football draft.
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Clay and Casey Matthews
The Packers star was a first-round draft pick in 2009, two years before Casey signed to the Eagles.
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Cam and Caylin and Cecil Newton
The Panthers quarterback joined the team in 2011, two years after brother Cecil was signed by the Jaguars as a free agent. Cecil eventually moved on to join the Packers. The siblings’ youngest brother, Caylin, is poised to follow in their footsteps and is currently playing ball for William & Mary’s collegiate team.
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Stefon and Trevon Diggs
Stefon is a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills while his younger brother Trevon plays cornerback for the Cowboys.
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Joey and Nick Bosa
Joey was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 during his first year with the Chargers. His little brother, Nick, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers three years later.
