A little while ago it was announced that the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles will introduce flag football as a sport. It will be something new and there has already been buzz about NFL players getting together to form a super team. Not only is the leadership of the NFL interested in this becoming reality, but they are encouraging their players to participate in 2028.
Quickly breaking down the rules and potential roster construction
It is unknown what the rules will be specifically for the Olympics right now, but there are some basics to go off of. The quarterback is not able to run after snapping the ball, but they can dodge incoming pressure. Another unknown position is called "rusher" and they can apply pressure after starting seven yards behind the line of scrimmage.
There are plenty of rules and adjustments that these NFL players will need to figure out and practice before going up against teams that have been together for a while. Normally there are five people on offense and five on offense at a time. You can mix up which players are stationed where, but there will be five on offense and five on defense at a time.
Potential options as Team USA's Head coach for flag football
One interesting name to watch here is Sean McVay as he currently holds the rank of Head coach of the LA Rams. He is an offensive genius and someone who could adapt to the flag football game nicely. In that same thought process, Kyle Shanahan could be another good option too. Both are still young enough that they should be relevant by the time 2028 rolls around.
Perhaps looking outside of the NFL ranks to coach this team with an experienced flag football coach would be best. A name to watch in that case is Jorge Cascudo who is currently the top coach for the Team USA flag football program. He should be able to educate the NFL players who make the team to help them adjust quicker to the flag football game.
Quarterback could have various options by the time 2028 rolls around
Quarterback in flag football is something totally different than what those in the NFL are used to. The players throw the ball, so they need accuracy. They also need to be able to move their feet to escape pressure, but they are not allowed to run with the football. So, you need someone quick and elusive to dodge tackles, but also be smart and accurate enough with the ball in their hands.
The obvious choice here is Patrick Mahomes even though he will be 32 years old and nearing 33 that upcoming September in 2028. He should still be in his prime during that portion of his career and that means he should bring all the qualities that this team needs. Mahomes is a game changer and has all the tools that should transition over to flag football well.
Lamar Jackson is another option that makes the list here. He would be a freak in a flag football environment if he could find ways of running with the ball. Jackson would be tremendous with dodging the rusher and extending plays when needed. The biggest issue is that this version of the sport needs passing accuracy and Jackson has not been the strongest in the regard during his career.
Another option that is currently not in the NFL right now but will likely be a perfect fit is Caleb Williams. He is going to be a top draft choice in the upcoming event and has all the tools to transition over to flag football brilliantly. He can escape and has the arm accuracy to lead Team USA to a gold medal in the 2028 Summer Games.
Team USA will need a shifty running back for the summer Olympics
Running back can either play as a receiver or get a handoff in this version of football. It is a position that requires the player to be shifty and have speed. Team USA will need someone to have the ability to carry the ball but also be an effective catching option. There are plenty of running backs that could make a lot of sense.
Christian McCaffery is the obvious choice here as many in the NFL hold the opinion that he is the best running back in football. His game would transition well to flag football, but the biggest issue with McCaffery for the Olympics could be his age. When the Olympics finally come around, McCaffery will be 33 years old, which isn't an ideal age for a running back.
It is possible that the running back for Team USA isn't even in the NFL with how short a shelf life the position has in the league right now. One young runner that makes sense is Bijan Robinson as he has everything you need in a running back. He would be a great pick and would still be in his prime when the games in LA hit in another five years.
Another young back who is bursting on the scene in the NFL this season has been De'Von Achane. He is fast and even puts some fast guys in the Dolphins organization on notice. He could be an interesting choice and would still be in his prime years by 2028. Might be too soon because of his limited experience, but he has all the tools right now to play for Team USA.
The center position will be extra fillers at wide receiver most likely
Being a center in flag football is not the same as those that play the position in the NFL. You must snap the football still, but after that, they will run out and act as a receiver. Some might think a tight end could be a consideration here, but unless one appears out of nowhere with receiver speed, it's likely that more receivers could fill that position.
Perhaps someone like Diontae Johnson of the Steelers would make sense here. He is a shifty guy that is hard to bring down. He can separate on routes and find different ways of getting open. Johnson should also be able to use his elusiveness to his advantage and keep the tacklers from grabbing his flag off of his belt.
Garrett Wilson is coming off his Rookie of the Year recognition and should be able to have a tremendous NFL career. He is speedy and has become a great all-around receiver upon writing this article. Picking receivers and a center option here are almost interchangeable as you need speed options and guys that can get open.
Jaylen Waddle makes the list here as many will be shocked that Tyreek Hill is left off the list. His speed will probably slow down by the time another five seasons go by. Waddle is almost just as fast and should be in the middle of his prime by the time the Olympics happen. He would be a great option to snap the ball and break out onto the field.
Plenty of NFL star power could fuel Team USA to gold by themselves
Wide receivers basically have the exact same function in flag football as they do in flag football. The biggest thing in this version of the sport is speed and the ability to cause separation. That is what Team USA will have to focus on when they build this roster. Tyreek Hill misses out as he will be roughly 34 years old by the time the Olympics roll around so his speed could be on the decline.
Starting off strong here with Justin Jefferson as he remains a top two or three receiver in the NFL. He continues to be one of the best at getting open and using his hands to secure the ball. It is hard to imagine Jefferson going up against some other player from another country that has little speed to match.
Adding Jefferson's former teammate from LSU Ja'Marr Chase here. He has been historically one of the best in the history of the league during the early part of his career. Chase will only be 28 years old by the time the Olympics come around and he actually got to try some flag football during this past Pro Bowl, just like Jefferson did.
Another option in mind in terms of potential future NFL stars is Marvin Harrison Jr. He will be heading into the draft this season and many hold him in high regard like Chase was coming out of LSU. Harrison Jr. is one of the best overall receiver prospects coming out of college in years. He should have a tremendous NFL career and that should be a help on Team USA.
The rusher position could bring some flexibility and speed onto the field
Rusher would be something new to NFL fans as it is a distinct position that is different from the NFL. There is a rusher position that is allowed to peruse the quarterback after starting his rush seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. Having someone that can fly to the quarterback is needed, but having someone with size and potential to cover sideline to sideline might be a necessity.
Fred Warner stands out as someone that is big and applies pressure to the quarterback quickly, He has speed and is the most reliable middle linebacker in the game of football right now. Another good quality for Warner is his youth and he will still be on top of his game come the Olympics. He would provide a lot of good qualities as a rusher.
A new wrinkle in this team if they decide to go offensive heavy could be D.K. Metcalf. He is a big guy with a lot of speed to boot. He might be a perfect option for the rusher position if the coaches wanted to go in a unique approach to filling this spot. Metcalf is a physical freak who has speed for days and has the size that could intimidate the quarterback.
Sometimes the obvious choice is the best choice and that could be Micah Parsons. He is rumored to be working on a super team as you read this article. He would be a great option for a rusher spot. He is fast and big and can get up field in a hurry. Parsons could be a big piece for Team USA's defense if they decide to use him in this spot.
Flag football demands speed and the defensive backs possess that
Defensive back is another position that is very much like cornerback in the NFL. They are the first defenders that will try and guard the receivers that are deployed around them. There are plenty of corners that can defend in the NFL, but they will need guys that have quick twitches and speed. There are plenty capable now and in the future to take these spots.
Sauce Gardner of the Jets comes off as an obvious choice as he is coming off his rookie of the year campaign. He has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL since joining the league a year ago and he will be in his prime in five years. He has the length and speed to cover anyone who comes his way and should be able to turnover that ball too.
Tariq Woolen is another name that is young still and could be a great option for Team USA in another five years. One thing that Woolen has plenty of is speed. He can cover receiver in the NFL, so it is likely that he can take care of any receiver in a flag football game. One thing that will need to be tested is if these corners can grab flags.
Devon Witherspoon is another young cornerback that could make a lot of sense. Not only do these players need speed but they also need to have a lot of endurance with a ton of field to cover with the play being against five offensive players. Witherspoon has all the physical traits that should transition well over to the flag football game.
Safety for this alteration of American football will need to have speed and the ability to tackle
Safety is another position that has a close similarity between the NFL game and flag football. They are considered the last line of defense in this game, and they can also be seen as helpers to the defensive backs in front of them. These players need to have closing speed and the ability to make the play by grabbing the flag and not letting players get behind them.
Derwin James makes a lot of sense here as he might be one of the best safeties in football right now. He can play different spots on the field and can help this team shake up some play calls. James could even sub in as a rusher if needed. Most of the safeties could. The biggest question about James will be his injury issues leading up to the Olympics.
Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Steelers gets the call that he made the team here and will start. A safety duo of James and Fitzpatrick is already unfair but add that to the fact that they will play against others that are not on their level and it’s a recipe for dominance. Fitzpatrick would be a great addition and checks all the boxes to fit this program.
Antoine Winfield Jr. rounds out the safety group here, but in reality, there could be plenty of quality safeties in the future that pop up. Winfield Jr. has been a quality safety for Tampa Bay since entering the league and could help as a rusher and as a safety that could fill a role like James would. He would be a great addition in a depth role depending on how big the rosters are allowed to be.