Peyton Manning ups his 'Paintin' game in Nationwide NFL kickoff ad

Hall of Famer Peyton Manning is returning to television screens this week, reprising his role as "Paintin' Manning" in Nationwide 's latest commercial.

The Columbus-based insurance and financial services giant will debut its new commercial, titled "Locker Room," Sept. 9 during the 2026 NFL Kickoff game. "Paintin' Manning" and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley star in the lighthearted advertisement, in which Barkley finds Manning painting the locker room with a mural of his mainstream athletic personality – next to the label "insurance" – and artistic alter ego – next to the label "financial services" – coming together with a high-five.

"Through his creative passion, Manning transforms his surroundings while boldly conveying the message that Nationwide is 'so much more' than a great insurance company," a Nationwide press release states. "It is also one of America's largest financial services companies."

The commercial is the latest installment of Nationwide's "So Much More" campaign, which uses football-focused and humorous storytelling to highlight the company's range of services.

"Bringing that message to life through 'Paintin' and Saquon gives us a distinctive, memorable way to help consumers understand how Nationwide helps them protect what matters today and plan for what comes next," Nationwide chief marketing and customer experience officer Ann Bair said in the release.

This is far from the first time Manning and Barkley have collaborated with Nationwide. The company has been an official sponsor of the NFL since 2014, and the two have respectively starred in several Nationwide commercials over the past couple years.

The 2026 NFL Kickoff match-up Super Bowl rematch between the champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots . Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo. Fans can expect to see "Locker Room" and other advertisements with Manning and Barkley throughout the NFL season.

Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@dispatch.com or @emma_wozniak_ on X.