By: Omaha Productions
Peyton Manning and Jamie Horowitz’s sports media company, Omaha Productions, scored a touchdown last year with its docuseries Quarterback. The Netflix show gave fans unprecedented access to NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota.
Fans are eagerly awaiting this year’s follow-up, Receiver, which is already anticipated to be a bigger hit than its predecessor. Receiver, which reportedly will drop on Netflix in July, will follow four NFL wide receivers and 1 tight end through the 2023-2024 season:
— Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders
— Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings
— Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers
— George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers
— Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions
Quarterback was hailed for its deep dive into the lives of its subjects. The fly-on-the-wall style captured the players on the field and in their personal moments with family members, trainers, and friends. Receiver is created by the same team at Omaha Productions and is intended to complement the original “like the natural progression from pass to catch,” as Gabe Spitzer, Netflix VP of nonfiction sports, stated.
“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,” said Omaha Productions co-founder Peyton Manning. “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.”
“The success of a good docuseries depends on both the access and the athletes,” said Jamie Horowitz, Omaha’s co-founder. “We were lucky to partner with 5 guys who not only had fascinating seasons but also welcomed us into their lives – on and off the field – to show fans what it really takes to have success in the NFL.”
Receiver will be released on Netflix in the summer of 2024 and will consist of eight 45-minute episodes. The series is produced by NFL Films, Omaha Productions, and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 2PM Productions.
More Players, More Action
Jamie Horowitz and Peyton Manning are committed to upping the ante with Receiver, delivering more thrills and drama than last year’s hit Quarterback.
For starters, Omaha Productions has increased the number of subjects from three to five. This assures quicker pacing and more dynamic stories for audiences to enjoy.
It’s hard to imagine Horowitz and Manning choosing a better set of players to follow. Each receiver had a career-making season. Three of the five play for teams that made the postseason, and the two 49ers made it to the Super Bowl.
Even the players whose teams underperformed had notable seasons both for their performances and the speculation surrounding their careers. Davante Adams became the first Raiders player to record multiple seasons with 100-plus receptions, and Viking Justin Jefferson as the No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. The series will also focus on Jefferson’s relationship with Cousins, now-former Vikings QB and one of the subjects of last year’s Quarterback.
Speculation about both players’ futures was rampant during the season. For the first time, Receiver will uncover how each wide receiver reacted to these career pressures during the season.
Omaha Productions was incredibly fortunate that three of its chosen players (Samuel, Kittle, and St. Brown) clashed in a major matchup, the 2023 NFC championship game between the Lions and the 49ers. Then, the two 49ers went on to face former Quarterback star Mahomes in Super Bowl 58.
Simply put, Receiver is set to be a smash hit because the cameras were rolling during some of the season’s biggest moments. Not only that, but stories from last year’s Quarterback will dovetail with events in Receiver, creating continuity for viewers around the globe who may be new to NFL football.
This is all evidence of Peyton Manning and Jamie Horowitz’s uncanny ability to select players who are primed for greatness. On more than one occasion, the cameras were rolling long before the magic happened. One example is St. Brown. While he proved himself to be a talented rookie WR, his stellar performance this season, and the Lions’ dominance, was anything but a sure thing. Horowitz and Manning recognized his potential early on and were perfectly positioned to document his rise to NFL elite status.
Choosing five players from 32 teams to agree to be documented all season is no easy feat. Selecting players alone can determine the success or failure of a docuseries like this. Peyton Manning and Jamie Horowitz’s good sense of who might have a memorable year, has nearly ensured its success, even before its premiere.
Watch Receiver on Netflix this summer, and stream Quarterback on Netflix now.
Published by: Holy Minoza
