ClutchPoints
Early on Tuesday morning, NFL Insider Adam Schefter broke the news that the NFL was getting closer to allowing its players to join Team USA flag football for the 2028 Olympics. That decision became official later on in the day.
NFL players are getting their wish. Justin Jefferson said that he was at a “loss for words” when he found out the news that he would get an opportunity to win a gold medal at the Olympics. We are still a few years away, but NFL players will be included in the games, which will happen in Los Angeles. This will be the first time flag football will be a part of the Olympics.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about the decision on Tuesday.
“It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” Goodell said. “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”
Flag football at the Olympics will be in good hands with NFL players joining. Team USA will clearly be the favorite to win, barring any players joining other countries. That is a topic for another day. Will NFL players from other countries be allowed to join their respective nations?
The format will be five-on-five. A true roster of 12 will not be set until after the 2027-28 season, but speculating who could present America in the Red, White, and Blue will be exciting until it comes. Let’s take a look at who could be on the roster. Neither offensive nor defensive linemen are allowed to participate.
Quarterbacks
There are two QBs that clearly stand out for something like this. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Those two have four of the last seven MVPs and are two of the best playmakers in the NFL.
Jackson is arguably the greatest rushing quarterback of all time already in his career. He would give opposing flag footballers trouble in free space. It almost wouldn’t be far.
The same could be said about Mahomes. Mahomes has the flair and IQ to make every throw imaginable. He has the arm strength and accuracy to move the ball down the field with open space, with ease.
Other notable QBs are reigning MVP winner Josh Allen, reigning Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP winner Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Justin Herbert, and Kyler Murray. It’s hard to imagine any other QB making the list over these names.
Running backs
This is an interesting position for flag football. You only have four downs to score. Therefore, running the ball will be rare, if even allowed. You need quick receiving backs for this type of game. Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and James Cook stand out to me. Those three are elite with space, and opposing defenders will...
