Football is family business.
Second-generation players can be found on rosters around the league, and families like the Mannings have become synonymous with the NFL.
However, not everyone can be Peyton or even Eli and surpass their fathers on the field. Here are three players who've each struggled to match their parent's achievements in the NFL:
Chris Long - Howie Long
Howie has two sons in the NFL - Chris and Kyle - but the former gets compared to his father more often due to playing the same position.
And while Chris has enjoyed a solid career, the pass-rusher hasn't truly lived up to expectations since being taken second overall in 2008. That's partly because he was stuck on the lowly Rams in St. Louis for eight seasons, but regardless, he never hit the heights Howie did during his 13-year NFL career, all spent with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
Howie made eight Pro Bowls, was named a first-team All-Pro three times, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Chris has at least matched his father in Super Bowl hardware, finally winning the big game in 2016 with the New England Patriots. Howie's Raiders took home the Lombardi Trophy in January 1984.
Jake Matthews - Bruce Matthews
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Living up to his legendary father was always going to be difficult for Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews.
Bruce's NFL career spanned nearly two decades (all with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise), and was filled with unbelievable achievements. His 14 Pro Bowls are tied with Tony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning, and Merlin Olsen for the most in NFL history, he never missed a game due to injury, and his incredible versatility was highlighted by starting at every offensive line position.
Meanwhile, Jake's time in the league is just getting started. He was taken sixth overall by Atlanta in 2014 and initially struggled to adjust to the NFL level. He's improved considerably since then, but hasn't yet made a Pro Bowl and saw his team lose the Super Bowl last year.
Matt Slater - Jackie Slater
Like Bruce Matthews, Jackie Slater somehow spent 20 years in the NFL and played exclusively for one franchise - a feat as rare as it is amazing.
Jackie was part of one of the best offensive lines in league history for the Rams from 1976-95, making seven Pro Bowls and being named a first-team All-Pro three times. He also had his No. 78 jersey retired and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
His son, Matt, isn't a household name, but die-hard fans know him thanks to Bill Belichick's affinity for the career special teamer, who's played all 10 of his NFL seasons with New England. The 32-year-old has actually made just as many Pro Bowls as his father and has won two Super Bowls, but he's never made an impact as a receiver, owning just one career catch.
