Netflix, NFL Team Up for ‘Receiver’ Docuseries

A year after teaming with the NFL for the docuseries Quarterback, Netflix is passing to another position on the football field.

The streamer has greenlit Receiver, which like Quarterback will follow several wide receivers (and one tight end) through the ups and downs of the 2023 season. As with the prior series, NFL Films is teaming with NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning‘s Omaha Productions and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahome’s 2PM Productions on the show.

“The natural progression is from a pass to a catch, so we’re excited to dive into the Receiver world after the success of our Quarterback series,” said Gabe Spitzer, vp nonfiction sports at Netflix. “NFL Films and Omaha Productions have delivered again in finding unique and dynamic athletes who will further highlight the drama of this sport on and off the field.” 

Manning told The Hollywood Reporter last year that he’d had some trouble convincing more quarterbacks to take part in a second season of the series. “To use a cheesy analogy, we’re definitely in the two-minute drill here,” he said just before the start of the 2023 NFL season. “I’d love for someone to call us back and say, ‘I want to do it.’ I had three starting quarterbacks tell me no yesterday, so I’m swallowing my pride.” 

Instead of more QBs, Receiver will focus on their targets. The players taking part are Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, George Kittle — the aforementioned tight end — and Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions.

“We are excited to be working again with Netflix and NFL Films to give fans unprecedented access to what it’s like to play receiver at the highest level,” Manning said in a statement. “As we did with Quarterback, we look forward to telling the stories of five incredible receivers, each with their unique personality, skillset, and motivation for what drives them to be the best.” 

Added NFL Films supervising producer Joe Zucco, “We were thrilled last summer to see audiences all over the world diving into the lives of NFL quarterbacks. We believe the extraordinary skills, dedication and passion of the NFL’s great wide receivers — and one tight end — will make a perfect follow-up.”

Receiver is set to premiere in the summer. Its executive producers are Manning and Jamie Horowitz for Omaha Productions; Ross Ketover, Pat Kelleher and Keith Cossrow for NFL Films; and Mahomes from 2PM Productions.