NFL players are officially set to compete for a gold medal as, at the league meetings this week in Eagan, Minn., owners approved a rule that will allow players to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games—which for the first time will include flag football as an official sport.
In the resolution's ground rules, it's spelled out that any player under an NFL contract is allowed to participate in tryouts and that a limit of one player per NFL team—as well as any team's designated international player—can play for their home country in the games.
While roster spots will be limited, judging from the way some NFL stars have talked about the potential of being in the Olympics, there will be no shortage of pros hoping to try out for the national team.
So who should, or could, each team's flag football player be? Here's a look at 32 candidates:
Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Not only can the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner throw the ball all across the yard, but he's also one of the quickest players in the NFL.
Kyler Murray's dual-threat abilities make him a sure-fire candidate to start at quarterback—perhaps, for South Korea?
Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts. / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Though Kyle Pitts has had a disappointing start to his NFL career relative to where he was selected, Atlanta's former No. 4 pick brings a unique combination of size and speed to the football field.
Maybe it's not year two in OC Zac Robinson's system, but rather a simple switch from a helmet to flags, that can unlock the 6'6" specimen.
Lamar Jackson.
Lamar Jackson. / Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
An obvious one here.
Like Murray, Lamar Jackson's ability to both throw and run the football is a flag football team's dream at quarterback. His long speed makes him a home run threat as well.
James Cook
James Cook. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
James Cook ran for 1,000+ yards for a second year in a row with Buffalo last season and added 16 rushing touchdowns to his career tally.
The 25-year-old RB is weapon out of the backfield as a receiver as well.
Jaycee Horn
Jaycee Horn. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
You need to play defense in flag football, too!
Panthers star Jaycee Horn is a sticky cornerback in coverage who can lock up opponents at will. Plus, his father Joe was an NFL wide receiver for the Saints, so it's feasible that the genes trickled down and he could be a two-way player as well.
Denzel Ward
Denzel Ward. / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Given that, frankly, the Browns' skill positions group is subpar, Denzel Ward was Cleveland's best option for the team here. That's no knock on Ward, however.
The 5'11" cornerback is a ball hawk who would be a major help on defense.
D'Andre Swift.
D'Andre Swift. / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The one knock on D'Andre Swift's game is that he ab-libs just a tad too much and doesn't stick to the script.
In other words, he's the perfect flag football player. Here's the rock—go make something out of nothing.
Ja'Marr Chase
Ja'Marr Chase. / Phil Didion/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Do we really need to explain this one?
Micah Parsons.
Micah Parsons. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Our first pass rusher makes the list. In flag, the quarterback has seven seconds to throw—and they may have to do so with a designated rusher barreling down in their face.
Who better to play that role than one of the NFL's best defenders in Micah Parsons?
Pat Surtain II.
Pat Surtain II. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II is a lock—no pun intended—to be in the running for the Olympic team.
The 24-year-old finished last season with 45 tackles, 11 passes defended, and four interceptions—including a 100-yard pick-six against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jahmyr Gibbs.
Jahmyr Gibbs. / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Jahmyr Gibbs is a two-time Pro Bowler through his first two NFL seasons, tallying 31 total touchdowns as a true spark plug for the Lions' offense.
Plus, his nickname is Sonic. That's deserving of a medal in its own right.
Xavier McKinney.
Xavier McKinney. / Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Packers defensive back Xavier McKinney led the NFL in interceptions last season, and would be the perfect center field safety behind an elite bunch of cornerbacks.
Derek Stingley Jr.
Derek Stingley Jr. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Speaking of elite cornerbacks, Derek Stingley Jr. has tallied 13 career interceptions—including two in the postseason. An easy choice out of Houston.
Anthony Richardson.
Anthony Richardson. / Grace Hollars/USA Today Network via Imagn Images
Sure, Anthony Richardson may not even win his own team's starting quarterback position—but that doesn't mean he can't be one in flag football.
The 6'4" bowling ball of a signal caller is truly a special athlete and worthy of an Olympic team nod.
Travis Hunter.
Travis Hunter. / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Isn't it obvious? Two in one!
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
I originally considered Travis Kelce here, but a new report from ESPN's Jeff Darlington suggests that Patrick Mahomes may like to add a gold medal to his resume.
As one of the best players the sport has ever seen, the three-time Super Bowl is worthy of consideration.
Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Brock Bowers put together the best rookie season for a tight end in history in 2024, hauling in 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
While he may look like an old soul, the 22-year-old is primed for an impressive career in the NFL, and possibly as an Olympian.
Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
In a world of Quentin Johnstons and Jalen Reagors, Ladd McConkey came to the rescue for Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
His short area speed and elusiveness are perfect for the flag football field.
Jared Verse.
Jared Verse. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Another pass rusher makes the list, given that a) Puka Nacua didn't move the flag football needle for me, and b) Jared Verse earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 after a 61-tackle, 4.5-sack season.
Tyreek Hill.
Tyreek Hill. / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
With size, quickness, and getaway speed, you can line Hill up just about anywhere on the field and watch him thrive.
Justin Jefferson.
Justin Jefferson. / David Reginek-Imagn Images
Justin Jefferson was in the room with the NFL's 32 owners on Tuesday as they voted on the flag football resolution, and spoke to reporters afterwards about the exciting news.
"To be honest, I'm at a loss for words," the Vikings wide recenver expressed. "To think about the chance of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it's a dream."
Christian Gonzalez.
Christian Gonzalez. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Christian Gonzalez earned second-team All-Pro honors after an impressive 2024 season where he deflected 11 passes and hauled in two interceptions.
He was also a four-star wide receiver prospect coming out of high school. Like many on the list, he has two-way versatility.
Chase Young
Chase Young. / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Chase Young played quarterback and tight end in high school before eventually switching to defense permanently, so he's among the many athletes with perfect skillsets for some Olympic flag football.
Cam Skattebo
Cam Skattebo. / John Jones-Imagn Images
One of just two rookies to make the list, Skattebo can run, catch, and throw—as we saw in the Peach Bowl—making him a triple threat on offense.
Tommy DeVito is also an option here. Chances are he’ll be playing for Italy.
Breece Hall.
Breece Hall. / Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As you can see in the above photo, Jets running back Breece Hall is a true do-it-all player.
The halfback pass to win the gold medal will go down in history.
DeVonta Smith
DeVonta Smith. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
DeVonta Smith is among the quickest and craftiest players in the NFL. Get him the football in space and watch defenders struggle to rip his flag.
T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt. / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Not only can Steelers LB T.J. Watt rush the passer with the best of them, but he also has the potential to be a goal-line target just like his brother JJ was for the Texans.
Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey. / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Another "duh" answer. McCaffrey is among the craftiest players in the NFL and his skillset would translate almost perfectly to the flag football field.
Riq Woolen
Riq Woolen. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen burst into the scene in 2022, leading the NFL in interceptions as a rookie. Add him to an already dominant Olympic defensive backfield, and you'll be hard-pressed to find many completions against them.
Bucky Irving
Bucky Irving. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
While Tampa Bay's 1-2 receiving punch of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin simply isn't made for the flag football world, running back Bucky Irving is.
The 22-year-old ran for 1,100+ yards as a rookie and also hauled in 47 catches for 392 yards. Just get Irving the ball and watch him go nuts.
Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
A consolation pick. Just look at the rest of the Titans roster.
Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The NFL's reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year dazzled both through the air and on the ground in 2024. His cannon of an arm and his lighting speed make him among the clear cut favorites for the 2028 Olympic team at quarterback.
More NFL on Sports Illustrated