NFL players for 2028 Olympics in LA: How would Team USA's flag football team look like?

NFL owners voted on Tuesday to pass a resolution that will allow players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

Published on: May 21, 2025, 02:15:47 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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NFL owners voted on Tuesday to pass a resolution that will allow players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This comes after conflicts about the decision during the annual owners' meetings in April. In the spring meetings, the vote was unanimous, indicating that the league's 32 owners are on board for negotiations with the NFL Players Association, Olympic officials and national governing bodies for players' participation.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce could make it to Team USA's flag football team at the 2028 Olympics (X)

With flag football, a 5-on-5 non-contact sport, debuting as an Olympic event, the US is poised to field a powerhouse roster of current NFL players. USA Football recently named 12 players to compete in the 2025 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Panama, which are scheduled for September. They are: DB/WR Aamir Brown; WR/DB Velton Brown Jr.; DB/WR Isaiah Calhoun; QB Nico Casares; DB/WR Mike Daniels; WR/Rush Laval Davis; WR/DB Tyler Davis; QB/ATH Darrell “Housh” Doucette III; WR/DB Ja’Deion High; DB/WR Jamie Kennedy; WR/QB Laderrick “Pablo” Smith; Rush/WR Shawn Theard Jr.

If NFL players are allowed in the 2028 Olympics, the team could look much different. It could feature the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Jefferson.

Here are NFL players who could make it to Team USA's flag football team:

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, is the consensus choice for QB due to his pinpoint accuracy, mobility, and ability to extend plays, ideal for flag football’s quick reads and improvisation.

Running Back: Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)

Barkley’s explosive speed and elusiveness make him perfect for flag football’s open field.

Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)

Jefferson’s route-running precision and catch radius dominate in flag football’s pass-heavy game.

Wide Receiver 2: Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins)

Hill’s blazing speed (sub-4.3 40-yard dash) and quick cuts make him a nightmare for flag defenders.

Tight End/Center: Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs)

While it is doubtful if Travis Kelce would remain in the league for three more years, it is imperative that we include him now. The tight end's size, hands, and veteran savvy suit the hybrid tight end/center role, snapping to Mahomes and running routes.

Defensive Dream Team

Defensive Lineman: Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)

Parsons, a versatile edge rusher, excels at flag pulls with his speed and instincts.

Linebacker: Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers)

Warner’s coverage skills and lateral quickness make him a flag football standout, locking down receivers.

Defensive Back: Sauce Gardner (New York Jets)

Gardner’s lockdown corner skills, with elite ball-hawking, translate seamlessly to flag football’s pass defense.

Defensive Back: Jalen Ramsey (Miami Dolphins)

Ramsey’s physicality and zone coverage prowess neutralize deep threats, complementing Hill on offense.

Defensive Back: Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers)

James’s versatility as a safety, with speed and tackling instincts, rounds out the secondary, noted for his flag football fit.

QB/RB Hybrid: Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)

Jackson’s dual-threat ability adds versatility, capable of subbing at QB or RB.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)

Chase’s explosive playmaking ensures depth at receiver.

DB: Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks)

Woolen’s speed and length bolster the secondary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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