It’s still three years until the LA28 Olympics and the excitement is already building! Why? It’s all because of flag football. You know the game, kind of like regular football but way safer and more laid-back. Instead of tackling, players just pull flags, there are fewer players on the field, and the rules are simpler.
Now, picture this: NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes, Caleb Williams, and Travis Kelce possibly playing at the Olympics. Not the full-contact, smash-mouth football we see every Sunday, but flag football. Same sport, totally different style. But wait, here it gets better.
The NFL owners just gave a unanimous 32-0 vote to let their players compete in Olympic flag football in 2028. That means each country can pick one NFL player plus a special international player to join their team. Suddenly, talk of an American football “Dream Team” isn’t just a fantasy. The tournament will have six men’s teams and six women’s teams, each playing 5-on-5 games on a smaller field. The games are quick, two halves of 20 minutes each, and the rules add some cool twists. Teams get four downs to cross midfield, then four more to score. Running plays? Nope, not allowed inside the five-yard line. And if it’s tied, overtime decides who wins. But this flag football? It’s a whole new ballgame.
No offensive lines, almost no running, and no kicking at all. Every drive starts on the 5-yard line, and the quarterback can’t cross the line of scrimmage. They can hand the ball off in open space, but close to the end zone, it’s all about passing. It’s not your usual NFL Sunday, but it’s fast and full of strategy. So now the big question: who’s got what it takes to build the perfect Dream Team for LA28’s flag football showdown? Let’s imagine who could make the cut.
Offensive positions:
Quarterback: Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels is the no-brainer pick at quarterback. In his 2024 rookie season with the Washington Commanders, Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns with a 69% completion rate, while also rushing for 891 yards and 6 touchdowns! The most rushing yards ever by a rookie quarterback. He led the Commanders to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance, proving he’s not just flashy; he wins. His dual-threat ability makes him a nightmare for defenses: he’s quick enough to torch you with his legs and sharp enough to pick apart coverage with his arm. He’s also known for his high football IQ, discipline in the pocket, and cool-under-pressure demeanor.
NFL legends like Joe Theismann have praised his vision and ability to read the field. Add in accolades like AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, PFWA Rookie of the Year, and the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, and you’ve got a quarterback not just perfect for the NFL, but built to dominate the global stage in LA.
Receiver: Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson is the ideal WR1. In the 2024 NFL season, Jefferson recorded 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking second in the league for receiving yards and sixth for receptions. His elite route-running, quickness, and ability to create separation make him a nightmare for defenders, especially in a no-contact, speed-focused format like flag football. Jefferson has expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “Just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal is a dream… That’s something that as a kid I always wanted to be a part of, but football wasn’t global. So now that we’re expanding the game and we’re going more global, it’s pretty cool.“ His combination of athleticism, skill, and passion positions him as a cornerstone for Team USA’s aspirations in Los Angeles
Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs is the leader running back who holds the offense together. In 2024, Gibbs totaled 1,929 rushing and passing yards and scored 20 touchdowns, making him equal the league’s best score. It is quite apparent that he is strong at both running for yards and catching the ball, since he managed 1,412 yards carrying, averaged 5.6 yards per run, and had 517 yards receiving for an average of 9.9 yards per catch. Above all, Gibbs’ 4.36-second 40-yard time makes him someone who can quickly challenge the 50-yard flag football field.
As Greg Auman of Fox Sports notes, “Many will go with Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley… but Barkley will be 31 when the 2028 Olympics roll around. Gibbs is five years younger, and most importantly, hes an elite pass-catcher. Olympic flag football allows no running plays once a team reaches the 5 yard-line, so pass-catching is almost as crucial as being able to make people miss.” The mix of his speed and skill at catching makes Gibbs highly suited to the fast and tackle-free game of Olympic flag football.
Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase is the best receiver to have in the number one spot. This past NFL season, Chase made 127 receptions, gained 1,708 receiving yards, and scored 17 touchdowns to claim the prestigious receiving ‘Triple Crown.’ Because he can go fast, take precise routes and control the ball well, defenders have a tough time against him. Since speed and flexibility matter most in flag football, Chase’s quick reactions give him an edge and keep defenders far from him when out in the open. In addition, his ability to get his hands ready at the perfect time often helps him get open when the play is intense. If they don’t leave Chase one-on-one, as defenses often match up on Jefferson, see what happens with a basic play for Chase.
Receiver/DB/ Wildcard: Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter brings a lot of potential to Team USA’s flag football team at the LA28 games. He showed how talented he is at Colorado in 2024, playing cornerback and wide receiver on the same team. As a receiver on offense, he caught 92 catches for 1,152 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. On the defensive side, he recorded 31 tackles, 11 interfered passes and 4 touchdowns. Oh and he impressed everyone by winning the Heisman Trophy and becoming the first player to collect both the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive) and the Fred Biletnikoff Award (receiving) in a single season.
Because he’s so versatile, he is able to stop other teams on defense, shoot the ball at an unstoppable rate, or step up with a big play whenever Team USA needs it. Quite frankly, he’s the perfect surprise who can change the game at exactly the right time
Defensive positions:
Defensive Back: Maxwell Hairston
Maxwell Hairston suits the defensive back spot well on the Team USA flag football team heading to the LA28 Olympics. At 6’1″, he turned in the best time among cornerbacks, completing the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. At Kentucky, he played exceptionally well, picking off five passes in 2023 and taking two of them back for touchdowns during one game. Since he can judge an opposing quarterback and move quickly to the ball, his skills really come in handy when a hasty response can swing the outcome of a close game.
Besides defending well, Hairston shows he can be useful on offense too which makes him versatile in a sport where roles are many and can switch frequently. Getting picked in the first round by the Buffalo Bills shows that Hairston belongs among the best players. Because he is fast, skilled at instinctively following plays and can adjust to different situations, he is a key defender for Team USA in this year’s Olympic debut of flag football.
Defensive Rusher: Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons is the perfect defensive rusher for Team USA’s flag football squad at the LA28 Olympics. In the 2024 NFL season, Parsons notched 12 sacks, tied for fifth in the league, and totaled 43 tackles over just 13 games. Beyond rushing, his versatility shines through as he can drop into coverage and make plays in open space, a vital skill in a 5-on-5 format where quick reactions and range matter.
Though Parsons might’ve been initially overlooked in early Olympic flag football projections, that hasn’t slowed him down. The Cowboys star has already hinted at taking an “Olympic break” after 2027, signaling his serious interest in competing. Imagine strip sacks turning into strip flags. Parsons’ tenacity and physicality will make him a dominant force.
Defensive back: Cooper DeJean
Cooper DeJean is seriously one of the most exciting young defenders out there, and he’s a perfect fit for Team USA’s flag football squad at LA28. Dude’s built like your classic defensive back but moves with the agility and speed of a decathlete. Fun fact: he was a state champ in sprinting and long jump back in high school, so you know his speed and explosiveness are next-level. In his rookie year with the Eagles, he racked up 51 tackles, 6 pass deflections, and 3 fumble recoveries over 16 games, all while making big plays when it mattered most.
Like that insane Super Bowl moment where he intercepted Patrick Mahomes and took it back for a touchdown on his birthday! He’s got the smarts and athleticism to cover tight receivers, make key tackles, and even flip the script by catching passes or throwing blocks when needed. With that kind of instinct, DeJean is exactly the kind of hybrid athlete who can flip a flag football game upside down. If you want a game-changer on your team, he’s your guy.
The post Jayden Daniels, Micah Parsons, Travis Hunter & Co Make Perfect Dream Team After Olympics Announces’ Official Entry to NFL Stars appeared first on EssentiallySports.