NFL players will be able to participate in the 2028 Olympics for flag football, which means there could be some players from the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles who might throw their hats in the ring for it.
On Tuesday, at the NFL owners meeting, there was a unanimous vote to let league players play flag football at the Olympics. Players will have to try out for their individual country's team to make the team. There will be six men's and women's teams with 10 players on each team playing five-on-five football. Each country can pick one player per NFL roster.
"It's an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport. I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked tremendous excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance."
With the door wide open for NFL players to win the gold medal for their country, which Eagles players would make sense to play for Team USA in the Olympics?
Who CBS Sports likes from the Eagles to be on Team USA
CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin listed out his candidates to represent Team USA in the Olympics. Benjamin included Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. in his proposed roster as he is looking for athletic defenders to play.
"The defensive selections also prioritized athleticism. Whereas some of the NFL's top defenders, like Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, feast in part because of their physical strength, our picks -- like Nolan Smith off the edge and incoming Bills rookie Maxwell Hairston -- entered the league with near-record-breaking speed and explosiveness. Their ability to fly around the field could translate seamlessly to flag football, where keeping pace with another high-energy unit is key."
Benjamin also had a list of players he considered for the team, as Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell made that list. Smith and Mitchell are athletic guys with good hands, but more importantly, are fast and athletic to make plays on offense or defense if needed.
Other potential candidates on Eagles to consider
Eagles fans already know one player who will not participate, who would be a great candidate. Wide receiver A.J. Brown already said he won't play in it, as PHLY Eagles reporter Zach Berman shared Brown's thoughts on it.
"I heard the Olympics is during camp. So, yeah, that would be tough. ...That would be fun just to compete. Me personally, no, because of camp. (The media) would be complaining, 'A.J. Brown is not in camp.' So would the fans. So I'm going to keep the main thing the main thing."
An obvious name to mention is Jalen Hurts, who just won the Super Bowl MVP for the Eagles. Hurts will be about 30 by the time the Olympics start, so he should still be at the peak of his physical abilities. His ability to run and have pinpoint deep pass accuracy while being able to release the ball quickly makes him a prime candidate at quarterback.
With Mitchell on the list, it would make sense to have Cooper DeJean considered as well. DeJean also has excellent hands for a defensive back and is just as athletic as the other cornerbacks mentioned on the proposed roster. He'll be 25 by 2028, so DeJean will only improve with age and experience.
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While it's fun to speculate on who could make Team USA, it's also hard to determine, as players on the Eagles in a year or two might be better candidates because they are younger. Age catches up with everyone, and some Eagles on the 2025 roster might be too old by the time the Olympics come around.
Fans are still three years away from the Olympics, so there is plenty of time to speculate and conduct their Team USA rosters. Hopefully filled with Eagles players.