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With NFL players officially cleared to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games, speculation has already begun about who will represent the United States in flag football.
While Patrick Mahomes seems like the obvious choice to lead Team USA's offense, some believe his skills may not translate as well to the Olympic format as expected.
During the NFL's annual spring meeting, league owners voted unanimously to allow their players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The move paves the way for a star-studded American flag football team, with many fans eyeing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the potential starting quarterback.
However, according to FanSided, questions should be raised about whether Mahomes is the right fit. Unlike the traditional 11-on-11 version of tackle football, Olympic flag football is played in a five-on-five format, with just 12 players per team.
The pace is faster, the field is smaller, and physical is limited to pulling flags instead of tackling. These structural differences change the nature of quarterback play significantly.
Flag football demands a different kind of quarterback
In the Olympic ruleset, quarterbacks are only allowed to run past the line of scrimmage if they first hand the ball off to another player.
This restriction alters how quarterbacks can use their mobility to impact the game, especially someone like Mahomes, who typically uses his athleticism to extend ing plays, not to become a primary rusher.
"Patrick Mahomes' best fit could be as a quarterbacks coach, where he'd be able to utilize all of the creative trick plays he learned from Reid to open up rushing opportunities for the league's most dynamic quarterback," FanSided suggested, pointing out that Mahomes might have more influence deg plays than executing them in this format.
By 2028, Mahomes will be 32 years old - still within his prime by NFL standards - but others, like Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray, may offer a more explosive skill set ideal for flag football.
Jackson, in particular, is known for his elite rushing ability, which could be a major asset in a five-on-five setting. While Mahomes has certainly shown the ability to scramble and create, his mobility is usually used in service of finding open receivers, not for designed runs.
"While Mahomes has made magical plays outside of the pocket, he typically only flees the pocket in search of making a throw on a broken play. He has the ability to pick up rushing yards, but not nearly to the same extent as a dynamic quarterback like Jackson," the analysis added.
Even Arizona's Kyler Murray, known for his agility and burst, has been mentioned as a more natural fit for the role. The Olympic version of the game places a on acceleration, misdirection, and speed - traits more aligned with a dual-threat quarterback archetype.
Still, the 2028 Games are four years away, and the NFL's next wave of talent may offer other standout candidates. Young quarterbacks not yet in the spotlight could emerge as ideal fits for the Olympic team.
Mahomes, with his reputation as a leader and innovator, may still have a significant role to play - perhaps not as the starter under center, but as a key figure in shaping Team USA's identity on the world stage.