NFL Players Eye 2028 Olympics as Flag Football Joins the Games
Adam Martin 
You might think NFL players are only focused on MVP awards and Super Bowl rings — but that's changing.
Following this week's owners meeting, the Olympics has emerged as a new target for several players, with discussions heating up around potential participation in an event that the USA would be firm favourites for with online betting sites.
Free Bets NFL expert Adam Martin looks closer at whether we can expect an NFL' Dream Team' in Los Angeles in 2028.
The possibility that NFL players will be able to play in the 2028 Olympic Flag Football event was voted on and approved by NFL owners. The event will be making its debut in Los Angeles with each countries team comprising of ten players.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that including flag football in the Olympics "has sparked a tremendous amount of 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."
Gaining the approval of the owners is just the first step but a vital one for NFL players to finally get the chance to win a gold medal. The Olympic Committee and the players union will still have to give their approval as well as USA Football, the flag football governing body.
At the meeting the owners voted in favour but did bring in some stipulations. Each national team are permitted to select one player per NFL roster. Also, each teams designated international player would be allowed to participate for their country to help other countries fill out their rosters.
With player safety being paramount in the NFL and a concern for all teams there have also been rules issued to the national teams as part of the approval. They will need to meet minimum standards for medical staffing and field surfaces. There will also be special compensation for teams if a player gets injured during Olympic training or games, such as salary cap relief.
Many NFL players have expressed an interest in being part of the Flag Football event in 2028, but a strong team already exists. Since 2014, the U.S. men have won the last five International Federation of American Football world championships.
Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs and Aaron Jones are just a few of the names who have shown interest in being involved. Obviously not every player will be able to play but a “dream team” could easily be assembled.
After the voting result was announced, Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson praised the result. "That's the decision I'll definitely have to weigh in a little bit," Jefferson said. "It's three years from now, it's three whole seasons that I'm going to have to go through. Of course, getting older, body is going to be different, but that's definitely always been a dream. It's always been something I always wanted to do, compete for your country versus all of the other countries in the rest of the world.”
His teammate, Aaron Jones, also expressed his desire to get involved. "Flag football players may be upset at me for this, but yes, I would absolutely love it," Jones said. "Every other sport gets an opportunity to win a gold medal, and if you're not serving your country in the military, I feel like that's the other highest honour that you can represent your country in."
Flag Football isn’t anything new for the NFL, who have been promoting the men’s, women’s and kid’s game across the USA and internationally for many years now. Now NFL players might get the chance to compete at one of the biggest events that was never previously available to them.
Although the NFL is in its off-season, we’ll keep you updated with news and previews all summer as training camps get underway across the league.
Once the season kicks off, Adam will return each week with his top NFL tips and best bets for the biggest matchups.
