The NFL made a monumental decision earlier this month by allowing its players to compete in the first ever Olympic Flag Football competition in 2028. In the time since, there has been plenty of speculation about which players will throw their names into contention and become members of Team USA. It appears that one of the game’s best and most iconic players will be sitting out, though, as Patrick Mahomes feels he’ll be too old for the competition.
Mahomes On Olympics: “I’ll Leave It To The Younger Guys”
NFL team owners gave the green light this month for active players to pursue spots on Olympic flag football teams for the 2028 Games. The announcement generated buzz across the league, with players and executives viewing it as a key opportunity to boost the NFL’s visibility on the global stage.
The league has been trying to grow the game by hosting international games dating all the way back to 2007, and the 2028 Summer Olympics could be the icing on the cake more than 20 years in the making.
#Chiefs Patrick Mahomes says he will leave Olympic flag football “to the younger guys.” #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/uHft2EKlyO
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 30, 2025
But which players will participate? There are already odds released for who will be playing quarterback, for which Ravens’ signal caller Lamar Jackson is at the top of the list. Mahomes is there, too, although further down on the board, but it doesn’t appear as though he’ll even be giving consideration to the idea.
“It’s awesome to be able to showcase the NFL to the whole world through flag football, but I’ll probably leave that to the younger guys,” Mahomes told reporters. “I’ll be a little older by the time that comes around.”
Mahomes will be 32 years old during the summer of 2028.
There will be a debate over which players exactly should represent Team USA. There are already established flag football leagues around the country, and the US already has a national team for the sport. Should the ones who have been playing the flag version get first dibs at the starting spots? Or will the NFL players override them and fill out the roster with recognizable names?
