Team USA flag football team should consider these 12 NFL stars ... but not Tom Brady

When it comes to trying out for Team USA's inaugural flag football team for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, most NFL players (current and otherwise) really need not bother - though they should probably send an early decision application if they can't fight the urge. (And this doesn't mean you, Tom Brady. Or you, Kyle Juszczyk. Or you, Von Miller. Or certainly you, Darrell Green.)

If you didn't fully grasp that flag is a completely different animal than NFL football - and sure seemed like a lot of the league's stars didn't this weekend - then you probably think putt-putt is something more than a distant cousin to golf. That was patently obvious in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic,played March 21 in L.A., during which the present edition of the U.S. flag team - comprised of players who have dominated the sport internationally for years - thoroughly embarrassed two squads largely consisting of NFL, uh, counterparts. Team USA won the round-robin portion by an aggregate score of 82-30 before prevailing 24-14 in a more tightly contested championship game over Wildcats FFC, led by Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels and coached by Kyle Shanahan (though he seemed to be in a somewhat bemused observation mode by that point).

And while the NFL guys made considerable strides over the course of a day - and it's safe to assume the U.S. would win gold, silver and bronze if the Olympic Committee allowed multiple entries - it was also clear they were fish out of water when it came to playing flag and understanding its intricacies. Darrell "Housh" Doucette III, who's probably the U.S. team's biggest star and once (rightfully) claimed he was clearly better (at flag) than three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes would be, walked that walk as the tournament's MVP.

"They're just confusing us," Brady said after his Founders FFC squad got run 43-16 by Team USA.

Hate to say it, TB12 - and you remain the greatest quarterback the NFL has ever seen - but you're most certainly confused if you think you're built for a shot at gold in two years ... and, yeah, Logan Paul might even be a better option. As much as Brady wants to wishcast that he and his NFL bros can convert 7-on-7 practice concepts into Olympic glory, he's mistaken. Routing dudes up and reading coverage isn't the path forward here - short-area burst, spontaneity, pop passes and quickness (both mentally and physically) are the name of the flag game. This is an endeavor that largely seems to demand athletic QBs, slot receivers, scatbacks and DBs.

This was NIFTY @USAFootballpic.twitter.com/qFWnaTbV9T

- FOX Sports (@FOXSports) March 22, 2026

Brady can still chuck it, but he's not a fit - his lack of athleticism in a five-on-five setting too massive a liability to hide as he futilely attempted to rally his squad as if the American flag vets were the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51. Could the U.S. stash the 48-year-old GOAT on its roster? Sure, but Brady would be Christian Laettner on the Dream Team - a football anachronism who'd be stealing the spot of a more deserving candidate.

And while Saturday's games illustrated that (some) NFL players are worthy of inclusion, they're facing serious obstacles aside from flag inexperience. They'll have to find time to perfect this craft - and an NFL season (including training camp and playoffs) that relentlessly runs roughly six months for most of them would not only hinder that objective, but pivoting to flag would take away from the down time players so treasure. NFLers also tend to carry their share of extra body armor, necessary to endure such a tough and brutal sport but extra pounds that really serve no purpose in flag. Do you try to shed any of those "lbs" for the Olympics, then try to pack them on right before the NFL season? Worrisome thought.

That also begs a further question: How committed are NFL teams to letting their stars pursue an Olympic goal? Currently it seems all 32 clubs will be allotted one player to be considered for the flag team. But you can bet your mortgage that the embrace won't be warm in all 32 buildings - especially when one of your premium players (probably) will be running the risk of a serious soft-tissue injury outside the pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy. (There's also a legit argument that disrupting Team USA's inherent chemistry by adding high-profile NFL stars would serve as little more than a PR bump for the sport.)

That said, here are 12 NFL players who should consider making a run at Team USA inclusion in order to earn the first football - football-adjacent anyway - gold medal in Olympics history:

QBs Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Kyler Murray (Minnesota Vikings)

While Burrow and Daniels showed serious promise, Jackson - not Brady or Mahomes - could be the next-level cheat code given his almost incomparable dual-threat skill set. And does any other player actually look like he's playing flag on an NFL field more than Murray? He might not be the passer Jackson is, but Murray's start-stop ability is something to behold. Burrow is apparently hellbent on making the team, but quick reaction times might point to Murray in a game played on a smaller field that doesn't necessarily reward getting to your third progression.

RBs De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins), Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) and Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons)

They're superior pass catchers out of the backfield. Barkley and Robinson can juke anyone out of their cleats - and might have an easier time hurdling defenders sans pads and helmet. Achane's long speed is an asset in any version of football.

WRs Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks)

Change of direction and magnetic hands are more desirable traits in flag than being a boundary threat. Running JSN, last season's Offensive Player of the Year, out of the slot and Jettas, well, anywhere could be a deadly combo - but we're certainly open to arguments for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua, among others.

TE Tyler Warren (Indianapolis Colts)

Retired NFL star Rob Gronkowski displayed how effective a big body in the center of a flag field can be, especially when gotta-have-it fourth downs arise (no punting in flag). Warren, who's 6-foot-6 and 256 pounds - and, at 23, 13 years younger than Gronk, who broke down with a hamstring injury Saturday - could be perfect for that role. Warren's background as a high school quarterback also brings an extra dimension in such a highly fluid game.

LBs Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers) and Sonny Styles (Ohio State)

Perhaps the most important player on a flag field is the one primarily responsible for rushing the quarterback. And while two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett would probably be a good choice, lighter and more agile players - check out Styles' workout at this year's NFL scouting combine, a performance likely to make the converted safety a top-10 pick - could be better alternatives in a game with a running clock.

DBs Cooper DeJean (Eagles) and Nick Emmanwori (Seahawks)

Both can operate anywhere on the field but are accustomed to dealing with quicksilver opponents in the slot - a highly useful skill in flag. And good luck to any quarterback (flag or otherwise) trying to beat the freakishly athletic Emmanwori, who's 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, while trying to strike deep.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flag Football Classic: 12 NFL players worthy of USA roster - maybe