Family rivalries are heating up in the NFL this season, and we're not just talking about division battles. With 17 sets of brothers currently on active rosters—a number that could grow once free agent Joey Bosa lands with a new team—the league is seeing an unprecedented wave of sibling talent. And for seven of those brother duos, the 2026 season will feature head-to-head matchups that promise plenty of trash talk and bragging rights.
Making it to the NFL is rare enough, but having two family members do it at the same time is something special. This year, two new sets of brothers joined the pro ranks when Caleb Downs and Avieon Terrell were drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively. Terrell will line up alongside his brother A.J. in the Atlanta Falcons' defensive backfield, while Downs heads to the Dallas Cowboys as a safety—setting up a direct clash with his brother Josh, a slot receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.
"He told me if he goes to the Cowboys, he's playing nickel," Josh Downs said with a grin. "So that's head-to-head all game. When he got drafted, I was like, 'We play y'all this year.' He got all hyped. It's all fun and games, but I gotta still let him know he's the little brother in this situation."
That matchup is one of seven sibling showdowns scheduled for 2026. Caleb, who played safety at Ohio State, is expected to take on a nickel corner role in Dallas, which means he'll be covering his brother on key passing downs. Josh has been a reliable target for the Colts since 2023, never dipping below 566 receiving yards or two touchdowns in a season. But Caleb's potential as a first-round pick makes this family duel a must-watch early test.
The McCaffrey football dynasty also continues, with Christian and Luke both active in the league. Add in the other brother pairs set to face off, and you've got a season packed with sibling drama that goes far beyond the typical game-day storylines. Whether it's bragging over the dinner table or settling old scores on the field, these brother battles are adding a whole new layer of excitement to the 2026 NFL season.