NFL at the 2028 Olympics: Which players we'd like to see suit up for Team USA
NFL at the 2028 Olympics: Which players we'd like to see suit up for Team USA
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Jordan Palmer's looking at one sophomore year QB this NFL season
Jordan Palmer is looking forward to watching the sophomore year quarterbacks take the field, and one in particular.
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The stage is set for NFL players to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
NFL owners voted Tuesday to allow their teams' players to be a part of the first Team USA flag football team to play in the Olympics, per reports. With the next edition of the Summer Olympic Games still three years away, which NFL players could we see participate?
It's a question that ultimately could come down to specific teams' policies. The 2028 Olympics are scheduled to take place over the last two weeks of July, which could interfere with the start of training camps across the league. There are also the injury concerns that may give teams enough pause to prohibit their players from participating.
NFL AT THE OLYMPICS: Will players participate in 2028 in Los Angeles? What we know
Still, the prospect of watching the best American football players dominate international competition is enticing. One only needs to look to recent iterations of Team USA basketball at the Olympics. Last year, NBA stars like Steph Curry and Kevin Durant put on historic performances to secure another gold medal for the United States.
So, which NFL players would we like to see participate in the 2028 Olympics? Given that the event will be a five-on-five affair and that the Americans' roster is expected to be capped at 10 NFL players, here's who we'd like to see play:
2028 Olympics flag football roster: Who we'd like to see play
Travis Hunter Jr., WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The thinking here is simple: in a format that limits rosters to 12 players, why not include the best two-way player option to save a roster spot on each side of the ball for other talented players?
Obviously, Hunter has not yet played a single snap in the NFL. But if the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner plays both sides of the ball as well as he did during his collegiate career, it wouldn't be hard to envision him dominating international competition on offense and defense in the 2028 Olympics.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Athleticism is a huge factor when it comes to playing quarterback in flag football, which should make dual-threat gunslingers like Hurts among top choices to play the position for Team USA.
As great as it would be to see Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suit up and make opposing competition look silly, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has already expressed apprehension about allowing his star quarterback to participate.
"I'm afraid I have a quarterback that'd probably be pretty good at [flag football], so, no, I'm not that excited about that in all honesty," Harbaugh said, according to ESPN. "I believe in America. I want gold medals, but…"
Hurts is also an easy choice as the Olympic flag football ambassador for the 2028 Olympics. The NFL has already featured the Eagles' quarterback in promotional material for flag football's inclusion in the next Summer Games.
It's our turn to light up the LA28 Olympic Games. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/PEgQOqpmUx — NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2024
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase is coming off of a year in which he won the receiving triple crown – leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17). He's also – crucially – a year younger than fellow LSU product Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bengals' wideout will be 28 by the time the next Summer Olympics roll around, and while he may not be quite as dominant three years down the line, there's still an expectation that he'll be among the league's top veteran receivers.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Projecting a flag football roster for 2028 means including younger players with high ceilings is a must. After an excellent rookie season at 21 years old, Nabers might have the best age-to-ceiling ratio of any NFL receiver that has already played a full season.
The Giants' standout caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards in a season that featured chaos at the "G-Men's" quarterback position. Seeing that level of production from a rookie that young and while catching passes from three different quarterbacks over the course of a single season bodes well for Nabers' future outlook. That makes him a relatively easy pick for a spot on the 2028 Olympics roster.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Running backs in flag football need to be as good at catching passes as they are at rushing with the football to be successful. Gibbs was one of the best dual-threat running backs in the NFL in 2024, and he just turned 23 in March.
As great as Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has been historically at both rushing and receiving, he caught the fewest number of passes in a full season in his career last year. He's also going to be 31 in 2028. Those factors, along with Gibbs' incredible evasiveness and speed that project well for the flag football format, give the Lions' back the edge for a roster spot.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
NFL defenses had a hard time keeping Bowers in check in his rookie season. The Raiders' star tight end was a first-team All-Pro in his first season in the NFL after recording 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in his age-22 season.
If he was that hard to stop while playing against NFL talent, international talent will be facing a tall task in trying to limit Bowers in a potential Olympic matchup. The former Georgia product will be just 25 when the 2028 Olympics start, and if his rookie year was any indication, he's going to be among the NFL's best tight ends for a long time.
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Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pro is a no-brainer pick as the first primary defender on this list. Surtain has been one of the coverage cornerbacks in the NFL since his rookie season in 2021, when he recorded 14 passes defensed and allowed a completion rate of just 51% in coverage, per Pro Football Reference.
His most recent season was his best yet, and he was rewarded for his efforts with a DPOY Award and a second All-Pro nod in three years. Surtain will be 28 in 2028.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Houston Texans
Stingley has a strong argument for being the second-best cornerback in the NFL after his 2024 season. The other first-team All-Pro next to Surtain, Stingley finished the year with five interceptions and 18 passes defensed while allowing a completion rate of just 47.1% on 85 targets, per Pro Football Reference.
Stingley will be 27 when the Olympics begin in 2028.
Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens
When it comes to NFL safeties, few have the defensive versatility of the Ravens' Hamilton. He could line up to defend any opposing player come 2028, and his skills closing in on ball-carriers while in pursuit will suit him well in a flag football format, even if he won't get to show off his strong tackling skills.
Hamilton will be 27 in 2028.
Jessie Bates III, S, Atlanta Falcons
Bates is the oldest player on this list as someone who will be 31 in 2028, but the skills he has in reading opposing quarterbacks and closing in on coverage are skills that will age well. The Falcons' starter has been among the best coverage safeties in the league for years, dating back to his time in Cincinnati.
A starting defensive secondary of Bates, Hamilton, Surtain, Stingley and Hunter would be a formidable one for any opponent, especially one that's sure to feature fewer NFL stars on offense.
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