Sibling Showdowns: Seven Brother Matchups to Watch in the 2026 NFL Season

Sibling Showdowns: Seven Brother Matchups to Watch in the 2026 NFL Season

Only a small fraction of football players ever reach the NFL, making it remarkable when siblings secure spots in the league simultaneously. As the 2026 season approaches, 17 sets of brothers are on rosters, a number expected to rise with Joey Bosa seeking a new team while his brother Nick Bosa remains with the San Francisco 49ers. This offseason, Caleb Downs and Avieon Terrell were drafted, adding to the sibling dynamic. Among the 17 pairs, seven will face off head-to-head in 2026: Caleb Downs (Cowboys) vs. Josh Downs (Colts) All-time matchups: None Caleb, a safety, will defend his brother Josh, a slot receiver. This matchup promises excitement as both brothers compete against each other for the first time. Christian McCaffrey (49ers) vs. Luke McCaffrey (Commanders) All-time matchups: None The McCaffrey brothers are expected to both make significant contributions during their game, with Christian entering his 10th season as a top skill player. Chase Brown (Bengals) vs. Sydney Brown (Falcons) All-time matchups: Sydney leads 1-0 After their initial clash, Sydney now plays for the Falcons, providing a chance to tackle his brother Chase, who is coming off a strong season. Penei Sewell (Lions) vs. Nephi Sewell (Bears) All-time matchups: Penei leads 1-0 This matchup features Penei, a three-time All-Pro, against Nephi, who had a standout performance in their previous encounter. Chris Oladokun (Chiefs) vs. Jordan Oladokun (Chargers) All-time matchups: None Both brothers face challenges, with Chris as a backup and Jordan still seeking his first professional snap after an injury. Christian Ellis (Patriots) vs. Jonah Elliss (Broncos) All-time matchups: Christian leads 1-0 Their previous matchup in the AFC Championship adds intensity to their rematch, where both aim to contribute significantly. Cameron Thomas (Falcons) vs. Zachary Thomas (49ers) All-time matchups: Zachary leads 3-1 Zachary has yet to play against Cameron in their head-to-heads, making their upcoming encounter particularly intriguing.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-07