Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers stars like DK Metcalf, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen could be representing the United States at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, thanks to a proposed resolution that outlines how NFL players could participate in the debut of Olympic flag football.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a resolution, specifically 2025 Resolution MC-1 and G-4, has been introduced that details the guidelines and restrictions for NFL player participation. Among the key stipulations: no more than one player per NFL team would be allowed to participate, and changes would be made to the salary cap structure to ensure proper injury protection for players involved.
The resolution also includes two additional points. First, Olympic flag football teams must meet minimum standards regarding medical staff and field conditions in order to be eligible to include an NFL player. Second, the scheduling of flag football games and related Olympic events must not unreasonably conflict with a player’s NFL team or league responsibilities.
NFL owners are expected to vote on the resolution next week during the league’s annual spring meeting in Minneapolis.
While the NFL remains the most popular sports league in the United States, its global reach is still limited. The league has taken steps to broaden its international footprint, including scheduling regular-season games overseas, most notably with the Steelers’ upcoming game in Dublin. Still, Olympic inclusion could represent a major leap forward in bringing football to the world stage.
Though adding NFL players would boost the Olympic product, the game itself differs significantly from traditional tackle football. Olympic flag football features a 5-on-5 format played on a 70-by-25-yard field with 10-yard end zones. Each team has four downs to reach midfield, then four more downs to score.
The NFL has been pushing flag football hard in recent years, with players at the Pro Bowl participating in a flag football games and girls leagues at the high school level being sponsored by teams.
Some NFL owners may be hesitant to support the resolution due to the potential injury risk. Still, it’s hard to envision a version of global football that doesn’t feature the league’s biggest stars. If approved, this could be a defining moment for both Olympic flag football and the NFL’s global ambitions.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Which Steelers Player Could Represent US in 2028 Olympics?
