NFL Players with Siblings in the League: Exploring Family Connections in Football

Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Travis Kelce, and Jason Kelce are some of the most well-known pairs of brothers in NFL history.

Peyton was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, almost six years before his younger brother Eli was selected by the San Diego Chargers. Eventually, Eli was traded to the New York Giants while Peyton went on to join the Denver Broncos in 2012, leading them to a Super Bowl win. He retired in 2016.

After his older brother retired from the NFL, Eli Manning continued to play for the Giants until he retired in January 2020.

In January 2022, Eli humorously mentioned to Wei that he is more recently retired than his brother. He joked about his ability to throw a pass better than his brother now that they are both out of the league. However, he added that he doesn't think anyone would want to see that at the moment.

The Kelce brothers have both made a name for themselves in the NFL. Jason was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, while Travis signed with the Kansas City Chiefs two years later.

Scroll down to meet other professional football players and their siblings who have also played in the NFL.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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NFL Brothers: The Kelces, The Mannings, and More

Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Travis Kelce, and Jason Kelce are some of the most well-known pairs of brothers who have played in the NFL.

Peyton was first drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, almost six years before his younger brother Eli was chosen by the San Diego Chargers. Eventually, Eli was traded to the New York Giants, while Peyton joined the Denver Broncos in 2012 and led them to a Super Bowl win. He retired in 2016.

Following his older brother's retirement from the NFL, Eli remained with the Giants until he retired in January 2020.

Eli jokingly mentioned to Wei in January 2022 that he might be more newly retired than his friend and hopes he can throw a pass better. He added that their athletic skills may have changed since leaving the league, but who knows? Eli also mentioned that he doesn't think anyone wants to see them in action right now.

The Kelce brothers have each made a name for themselves in the NFL. Jason was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, while Travis signed with the Kansas City Chiefs two years later.

Scroll below to meet the professional football players and their brothers who have played in the NFL:

NFL Bros McCaffrey

Credit: Courtesy of Max McCaffrey/Instagram

Christian, Max and Luke McCaffrey

Ed McCaffrey, a retired Super Bowl champion, and his wife Lisa McCaffrey have four sons, all of whom are football players. Max signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016, a year before Christian was drafted into the NFL and joined the Carolina Panthers. Christian later moved to the San Francisco 49ers and helped them reach the 2024 Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. In April 2024, Luke was drafted by the Washington Commanders.

Their other brother, Dylan, is currently playing football at the University of North Colorado.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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Jason and Travis Kelce

Jason and Travis Kelce are two brothers who play professional football in different conferences. Travis plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC division, while his older brother, Jason, plays for a team in the NFC conference. In February 2023, the Kelce brothers made history by becoming the first siblings to face off in a Super Bowl game. The game was a close one, with the Chiefs ultimately emerging as the champions.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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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.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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J.J., Derek and T.J. Watt

J.J., the eldest of the Watt brothers, announced his retirement from the Arizona Cardinals in December 2022. Meanwhile, his younger siblings Derek and T.J. are currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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Aaron and Jordan Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has been the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers since 2005. His younger brother, Jordan Rodgers, also entered the NFL when he was signed as a free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013. However, Jordan was released shortly after and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad. Despite a public disagreement with his older brother, Jordan has transitioned into a career as a sports commentator.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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The Gronkowski Brothers: Dan, Chris, and Rob

Rob, also known as "Gronk," began his professional football career with the New England Patriots after being drafted in 2010. Despite retiring in 2019, he returned to the game a year later to play alongside his former teammate Tom Brady for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rob comes from a family with a strong football background. His brother Dan has played for teams such as the Detroit Lions, Broncos, Patriots, and Cleveland Browns. Chris, on the other hand, had a career with the Dallas Cowboys, Colts, and Broncos before retiring in 2013.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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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.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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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.)

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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Ryan and Matt Kalil

Ryan used to play as a center for the Carolina Panthers until he retired in 2019. His younger brother, who joined him in North Carolina in 2017, is currently playing for the Texans.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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Michael and Martellus Bennett

The defensive end was drafted in 2001, nearly seven years before Martellus entered the football draft.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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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.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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Cam and Caylin and Cecil Newton

The Panthers quarterback became part of the team in 2011, following his brother Cecil's signing with the Jaguars as a free agent two years prior. Cecil later went on to join the Packers. The youngest brother, Caylin, is now playing for William & Mary's collegiate team, following in his siblings' footsteps.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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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.

Football Players Who Have Brothers That Also Play in the NFL

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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.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the remarkable achievements of several NFL brothers, including the Mannings, Kelces, and Watts. These siblings have not only made their mark individually but have also shared unforgettable moments on the field. The most iconic of these is the Kelce brothers facing off in the Super Bowl, a historic event that showcased their athleticism and the strong bond they share.

Beyond the brothers' accomplishments, the article also touches on the sibling rivalry and camaraderie that exist within these families. The humorous banter between Eli and Peyton Manning, for instance, reveals the close relationship they have despite their competitive nature on the field. Similarly, the story of Aaron and Jordan Rodgers highlights the challenges of navigating family dynamics in the spotlight. Overall, the article provides a glimpse into the unique and compelling world of NFL siblings, showcasing their talent, determination, and the special connections they share.