Imagine star-studded NFL players teaming up for Team USA at the Olympics. Well, it’s something that’s never happened before. Of course, there is the Pro Bowl, where top players across the league come together for a bunch of challenges. However, it’s nothing compared to the opportunity to represent your nation at the highest level. Never before has flag football been a part of the Olympics. But a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee made it possible. Given that Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics, flag football’s debut couldn’t have come at a better time. Still, there’s one thing left. The resolution of the uncertainty surrounding NFL players’ presence at the event.

Considering that two years have passed without the NFL coming to a verdict on whether or not NFL players will be allowed to participate in the Olympics, the league has had enough. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on Thursday that all 32 NFL owners will chair a meeting to discuss a resolution in Minneapolis next week. All of them will gather on Tuesday and Wednesday in Eagan to finally get this over with. Previously, Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones have spoken in support of this notion. Now it will be time for others to act, as voting will soon get underway.

As for the league, it has urged its franchise owners to vote in favor of players playing at the Olympics. “Participation by NFL players in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics will support such growth and advance several league interests, including fan and public interest in flag football. Expanding the global reach of the NFL, and providing greater opportunities for fan engagement and for our league partners,” the NFL said in a memo released on Thursday. Other than the NFL wanting team owners to vote on the matter. The resolution will also help establish some rules before things proceed.

• Permitting players under an NFL Player Contract.
• Limiting NFL Player participation to no more than one NFL player from the roster of each NFL club. Also, each NFL Club’s designated international player is permitted to play for his country.
• Providing appropriate injury protection and Salary Cap credit for any NFL Player who is injured at the Olympics.
• Certain minimum standards are to be put in place for medical staff and field surfaces to be eligible for an NFL Player.
• A schedule for flag football games so that it doesn’t unreasonably conflict with the NFL Player’s League and club commitments.

Take, for instance, even if it does. Those designated players will miss only the start of training camp. Because the 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled from July 14th to July 30th. At this time, there aren’t any NFL games. Considering the regular season starts in September. So, the decision now lies with 32 people whether or not they want this to happen. As for the players, some have come out in numbers to express their interest in representing Team USA.

Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, and Co. openly express their desire to play at the Olympics

Playing for your franchise is one thing. But representing your country among other nations at the biggest sporting event is a different kind of feeling. And not every year you get the chance to do so, considering the Olympics come in a gap of 4 years. That’s why the moment NFL players heard about flag football debuting at the Olympics, they couldn’t control their excitement. “I really want to play for the Olympic flag football team. Like me, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Me and my friends out there playing football. I think it’d be really cool,” Joe Burrow said last year.

Matching his excitement is Aaron Rodgers. Last year, when Davante Adams still hadn’t joined the Jets, Rodgers expressed his interest in playing with him at the Olympics. “I’d love to play with Davante again. It might be in the 2028 Olympics if they let some of the old guys go out and play. But we’ll see.” Rodgers will be 45 by the time the 2028 Summer Games arrive. But there’s one advantage he carries over the active players. He will be long retired by then (probably). So even if the NFL owners decide against this notion. Rodgers might get the chance to quarterback Team USA in LA.

Other than Burrow and Rodgers, Micah Parsons, Tyreek Hill, and Patrick Mahomes have all expressed their desire to play for Team USA. So, it’s up to the NFL owners now. They know what their players want. But will they let them go and fulfil their dream while possibly jeopardizing their 2028 season? Well, that’s something we will know next week as the fate of flag football’s rise awaits.