NFL allows players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics. Here are our predictions for the USA team lineup.

NFL Embraces Flag Football for 2028 Olympics

The NFL owners have officially approved the inclusion of Flag Football in the 2028 Olympics, allowing players to chase their dream of Olympic gold. In a unanimous vote of 32-0, this decision had been anticipated throughout the offseason.

Players in the NFL can now aim to be part of the Olympic Flag Football Team, but there are some restrictions. Each country can only send one NFL player, which creates the possibility of teammates facing off against one another in the 2028 games. The qualifying countries for Flag Football will include both male and female athletes, with the top six spots up for grabs. Currently, the US leads in both men’s and women’s flag football, while Austria is also noteworthy in the mix.

Interestingly, many members of Team USA Flag Football feel their chances are just fine even without NFL players joining. Some, like quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette, express concerns about the assumption that NFL stars would simply take away spots from the Olympic team when they debut in Los Angeles.

Considering these developments, several players seem poised to compete for a spot on Team USA’s Olympic flag football roster:

Jaden Daniels, QB for the Washington Commanders: With his dual-threat skills and youth—he turns 27 during the Olympics—Daniels stands out among his peers like Josh Allen (31) and Patrick Mahomes (32).

Bijan Robinson, RB for the Atlanta Falcons: While Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs is also in the mix, I’ve got a good feeling about Robinson’s chances.

Justin Jefferson, WR for the Minnesota Vikings: At 28, he was present during the flag football vote and could easily take on a leadership role on the team.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR for the Cincinnati Bengals: Jefferson and Chase are among the league’s best receivers and will compete for the single spot available for NFL players on Team USA.

Travis Hunter, WR/CB for the Jacksonville Jaguars: Though it might be a stretch, Hunter’s versatility and stamina make him an exciting candidate.

The journey to assemble Team USA and navigate the qualification process will be intriguing as we approach 2028.