Matthew Stafford gives hilarious response to possibility of playing flag football at 2028 Olympics

Recent approval of NFL players in the 2028 Olympics to participate in flag football has given reporters an easy question during OTAs. Everyone is being asked if they would have any interest in representing the United States, mainly quarterbacks. Plenty have expressed their desire but when the topic was brought up to Matthew Stafford, the moment turned into a quite funny one.

As the question was being delivered, Stafford began to laugh. He even jokingly looked at his watch, implying he might be on the wrong side of time come 2028. Maybe coaching would be an option for the future 40-year-old?

“Sure. I mean, nobody’s going to want me to but yeah, sure,” Stafford said. “It’d be fun. I’ll coach.”

Stafford has enjoyed a nice, long NFL career after being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick by the Detroit Lions. Now with the Los Angeles Chargers, a recent contract paying him $84 million over two years will expire after the 2026 season.

At this point, there is no guarantee Stafford will be in the league past then. If he were to make it another two seasons, one before the Olympics and another after, it would mark two decades in the NFL. Quite the accomplishment.

Known for his big-time arm, not mobility, Stafford’s suggestion of helping out in other ways may be the best path. No official decision on a coaching staff has been made quite yet. But once somebody is appointed head coach, they may have an early lead on an assistant coach.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter explains why NFL wants players in 2028 Olympics

ESPN’s Adam Schefter explained why the NFL wanted its players in the 2028 LA Olympics, playing flag football. It’s about the league’s attempts to broaden its international appeal, which it has been doing for years at this point.

“When we look at what has become one of the most important issues to the National Football League today, I think we all would agree that it is international expansion,” Schefter said on 97.5 The Fanatic. “Growing the game, we’re seeing seven regular season games played internationally this year, on the international schedule. You’re seeing teams claim markets. The Olympics are an international sport. They want to get football involved in an international sport. The players want to do it. The commissioner wants it. 

“We have all these factors. What is working to go against that happening? To (the injury) point, I think I would say you’re right. I mean, there’s risk in anything, but you know what, there’s as much risk in a player getting hurt in a flag football game as there would be, maybe, in an offseason training program regimen.”

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report