Report: NFL players expected to be approved for flag football in 2028 Olympics

NFL owners will convene in Minnesota on Tuesday for their spring meeting. Among the topics to be discussed — should the league allow its players to represent Team USA in flag football during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the vote to allow players to participate in Olympic flag football is expected to pass. “Olympics should be easy,” one source told Schefter. At least 24 of the league’s 32 owners must approve the resolution.

The NFL has been pushing flag football in recent years. As the sport continues to grow globally with seven international games on the 2025 regular season schedule, having its top players play flag football on the Olympic stage could go a long way in their efforts. So far, several star players have expressed interest in suiting up. Those include Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones.

“NFL football, American football, has taken to further parts, all the way across the world, with flag football coming to the Olympics,” Mahomes said in November 2023. “I think it’s really cool because football is a great game that has given me so much. And I want to make sure everyone gets the same experience that I got growing up.

“Definitely want to. But I’ve seen some of those guys play the flag football and they’re a little faster than I am. I know there’s not, like, linemen blocking for you. I’ll be 31, 32 years old. So, if I can still move around then, I’m going to try to get out there and throw the football around, maybe in LA. Just don’t tell Coach [Andy] Reid or [Brett] Veach or anybody.”

NFL players in the Olympics a done deal?

The support is echoed by league owners as well. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, “That’s exciting and positive for the NFL. I can see that and identify with that real quick… I’m a fan of what the Olympics can do for interest in your sport.”

The current proposal calls for six participating nations (not yet identified) to select a maximum of one NFL player each, per ESPN. Team USA is capped at 10 NFL players.

USA Football, however, does have a process for how it constructs a team. Players first receive an invite to the USA Football trials, where the pool is trimmed to 60 players. Those players advance to the USA Football training camp, where the final 10-man roster is selected.

“If NFL players are eligible, we’re ready to help create opportunities for these athletes to showcase their skills and be included on the national team,” said Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and executive director of USA Football. “USA Football’s ultimate goal is to bring home two gold medals in flag football. We’re committed to exploring every path to build the strongest Team USA possible.”