NFL teams could be allowed one player in the 2028 Olympics. Which Rams player should make the roster?
One of the larger discussions over the next three years will be whether or not NFL players will have the ability to try out and play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This is notable as the 2028 Olympics will be the first to have flag football and it gives players the opportunity to represent their country. The NFL has adopted flag football during the Pro Bowl over the past few seasons and players have enjoyed it. Players such as Puka Nacua and Jared Verse are the notable Los Angeles Rams players to participate over the last two Pro Bowl games.
The NFL and NFLPA have come up with a resolution to allow players to compete in the 2028 Olympics and will vote on that next week at the NFL Owners meetings. Below are three of the relevant suggested terms:
- Permitting players under an NFL Player Contract to try out for a flag football team participating in the 2028 Olympics
- Limiting NFL Player participation to no more than one NFL Player from the roster of each NFL Club for each team participating in the 2028 Olympics (in addition to permitting each NFL Club’s designated International Player to play for his country)
- A schedule for flag football games and related events in such a way that does not unreasonably conflict with an NFL player’s League and club commitments.
The big one here is only one player from the roster of each NFL team. Therefore, it’s not possible for Jared Verse and Puka Nacua to make the flag football roster if they are both still on the Rams in 2028.
If the Rams do get one player on the flag football roster, who would you want that player to be?
The obvious choice here is Nacua. He participated in the 2023 Pro Bowl which was the first iteration of the flag football format. Nacua is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and it seems likely at this point that he would still be on the Rams roster.
At this point, the only other realistic choice is likely Jared Verse. Verse participated in the Pro Bowl last season and by 2028 he may be the best overall defender in the NFL. The Rams rookie took the NFL by storm last season, entering the conversation as one of the league’s best edge rushers as he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year. It may be difficult to leave him off of the Olympic roster in 2028.
With the Olympics being held in Los Angeles, the hope would be that a Rams player does make it and is able to represent the city and country in the Olympics. Right now, Nacua and Verse are the two obvious choices. However, if the Rams are able to draft Arch Manning or another exciting quarterback, that player would certainly enter the conversation as well.
Let us know who your choice would be in the comments section below!
