NFL ‘Dream Team’: Who should be on the 2028 U.S. Olympic men’s flag football roster?

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NFL owners voted Tuesday to allow the league’s players to try out for flag football teams at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The vote, which came at the spring league meeting in Minneapolis, was 32-0.

In response, it’s only natural to wonder which players could make up the U.S. men’s team.

Before we get to an answer, though, let’s set some ground rules. The games will be played in a five-on-five format, and teams will have 10-player rosters, so that essentially gives each team a two-deep depth chart.

Six yet-to-be-determined countries — including the U.S. — will field men’s flag football teams in the 2028 Olympics. Only one player from each NFL team can try out for each country. For example, that means the U.S. men’s team couldn’t have both Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles try out.

Roger Goodell calls passing of resolution to allow NFL players to compete in Olympic Flag football “great opportunity for the sport. For the NFL, it’s truly the next step in making NFL football, and football a global sport for men and women of all ages and all opportunities.” pic.twitter.com/aDyGdN68uI

— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) May 20, 2025

The traditional offensive alignment in five-on-five flag football is quarterback, center and three receivers, but teams can get creative. The center has to snap the ball at the start of each play, but he’s free to release on a route after snapping the ball. The other four players on offense can be moved around. One of the receivers could line up as a running back. A team could have two quarterbacks line up to confuse the defense. And if they wanted to, all four players other than the center could line up in the backfield.

On defense, there are two primary positions: pass rushers and defensive backs. There can only be a maximum of two rushers on any given play. They have to line up at least 7 yards off the line of scrimmage and identify themselves before the snap. Even with those restrictions, there’s plenty of room to mix things up on that side of the ball as well.

It’s commonplace for players to line up on both sides of the ball. So, as the respective nations construct their teams, they’ll be looking for versatile players who can be used in a variety of ways. That’s why someone who’s purely a dropback passer, for example, won’t be a very attractive selection.

◽️ One player per team
◽️ Five-on-five format

Which NFL players would make the cut for your Team USA flag football team?

Here’s a start… pic.twitter.com/jdo6ujfNfc

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 20, 2025

Another important detail to keep in mind is that the Olympics won’t take place for another three years, so age will play a factor. Also, players such as Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will likely be in the NFL at that point and could want to participate. And college football players are also eligible to try out.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on players currently in the NFL. Here’s a five-man “Dream Team” for the U.S. men’s squad.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

The two-time MVP has one of the most dynamic arms in the league and remains one of the league’s most terrifying runners. While quarterbacks can’t scramble according to the rules of the International Federation of American Football, the governing body for the Olympics, that doesn’t mean they can’t use their legs. Jackson’s speed and agility would still come in handy when he needs to avoid rushers and buy time, and he’s excellent at throwing on the run.

Still, Jackson could be used in the run and pass game. If he hands the ball off, then that player could turn into a passer and Jackson could release on a route. Another player could also receive the snap and then hand the ball off to Jackson.

While Patrick Mahomes, another popular pick, is mobile, he wouldn’t be as dangerous as a running back or receiver. Though he probably wouldn’t have a role on defense, Jackson’s combined threat as a passer, runner and receiver makes him the ideal flag football quarterback.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Gibbs would be the center in this lineup. He’s one of the best receiving backs in the NFL and excels at running routes out of the backfield, which is essentially what he would be doing as a center. He has elite speed, elusiveness and athleticism and could turn short passes into huge gains.

Saquon Barkley was another consideration here, but he’ll be 31 when the L.A. Games roll around. Gibbs will only be 26 and should be a superior option at that point. Bijan Robinson is another possibility, but Gibbs is faster.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson is the best receiver in the NFL and would be a colossal mismatch against just about any defender. Ironically, the best matchup might be his former teammate: Indianapolis Colts safety Cam Bynum.

Bynum is Black and Filipino and has been actively promoting flag football in the Philippines through his Bynum Faith Foundation. Bynum played with Jefferson for four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and would have as good a chance to stick with him as anyone.

Jefferson was also part of the NFL Flag 50 commercial that aired during Super Bowl LIX.

“It’s something that’s so special,” Jefferson said Tuesday at the league meeting. “Even though it’s three years down the line, and there’s still planning (to be done), just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting the gold medal is a dream. It’s reverting back to being a kid, watching track and field meets, watching (the) basketball (teams) win the gold medal. That’s something that, as a kid, I always wanted to be a part of.”

“To think about the chance of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it’s a dream.”@NFLFLAG ambassador Justin Jefferson shares his excitement for Flag Football joining the 2028 Olympics in LA! @jjettas2 pic.twitter.com/v0gUfZtNRP

— NFL (@NFL) May 20, 2025

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

No one is better than Chase at creating yards after the catch. He’s essentially a running back once he gets the ball in his hands. In addition to being an all-world receiver, he could also line up as a running back in the Olympics. There’s no contact in flag football, but his high-end physical traits, vision and ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces would make him difficult to corral.

Chase was a college teammate of Jefferson’s, so they already have chemistry with one another. The duo was unguardable at LSU.

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Hunter is the ultimate flag football player. He famously played receiver and cornerback full-time during his college career at Colorado and won the Heisman Trophy this past season. Although there’s doubt about whether he can continue to play both ways in the NFL, he could certainly do so in flag football.

By 2028, Hunter should be bigger and stronger, traits that will complement his unreal combination of speed and athleticism. He won’t need to be the No. 1 option on offense, but he’d still do plenty of damage as a receiver while also serving as the No. 1 cornerback on defense tasked with locking up the other nation’s top receiving target.

Pat Surtain II could very well be the best cornerback in football in 2028, but he’s not the receiver Hunter is. Overall, Hunter may be the most valuable player on this team.

(Photo of Justin Jefferson: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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