The 2023 NFL playoffs begin this weekend and while there’s plenty of exciting quarterback talent across the league, this year marks the official end of an era at the position.
For the first time since 1998, the NFL playoffs will not include either of Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Manning made his first postseason appearance in 1999 and retired after the 2015 season. Brady made his first playoff appearance in 2001 and retired after the 2022 season.
Playing in the same conference for the majority of their careers, Manning and Brady had a fierce on-field rivalry, but they were (and remain) close friends off the field.
Brady led the all-time head-to-head series against Manning 11-6, but Manning held a 3-2 advantage in head-to-head playoff games.
Manning and Brady were the two oldest QBs to ever win a Super Bowl. This year, the next generation of QBs will aim to build their own legacies.
Here’s a quick look back at playoff appearances of Manning and Brady from 1999-2022.
1998: No Manning or Brady
1999: Manning (second season)
2000: Manning
2001: Brady (won Super Bowl in second season)
2002: Manning
2003: Manning and Brady (won Super Bowl)
2004: Manning and Brady (won Super Bowl)
2005: Manning and Brady
2006: Manning (won Super Bowl) and Brady
2007: Manning and Brady (lost Super Bowl)
2008: Manning
2009: Manning (lost Super Bowl) and Brady
2010: Manning and Brady
2011: Brady (lost Super Bowl)
2012: Manning and Brady
2013: Manning (lost Super Bowl) and Brady
2014: Manning and Brady (won Super Bowl)
2015: Manning (won Super Bowl in final season) and Brady
2016: Brady (won Super Bowl)
2017: Brady (lost Super Bowl)
2018: Brady (won Super Bowl)
2019: Brady (final season in New England)
2020: Brady (won Super Bowl)
2021: Brady
2022: Brady (final season)
2023: No Manning or Brady (both retired)
But wait!
Turns out Manning will be featured in this year’s playoffs — he’s set to call the Monday Night Football showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to wrap up Wild-Card weekend:
Not so fast https://t.co/AdfIPXJcH7 pic.twitter.com/gbNoy7kpTf
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) January 10, 2024
Brady is also set to join the broadcast booth in 2024, so while they’re no longer playing, Manning and Brady are still involved in the NFL playoffs.
