Tyreek Hill, Lamar Jackson Eyed as Top Picks For Olympic Flag Football by Pro Bowlers

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson are receiving a ton of support from their peers regarding the possibility of representing Team USA in flag football when it is added to the Olympic program in 2028.

During the Pro Bowl festivities in Orlando, Florida, this weekend, ESPN's Stephen Holder asked some of the Pro Bowlers who they believe would excel in flag football at the Olympics, and both Hill and Jackson were mentioned often due to their speed and elusiveness.

Hill's Dolphins teammates, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, both threw their support behind the speedster.

Ramsey said Hill would have a "field day" in flag football due to the inability of corners to press, while Tagovailoa added: "How do you chase a guy like that. I mean, he's running all over the place. Perfect skill set. He makes it tough."

Throughout his eight-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs and Dolphins, Hill is an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro.

He is coming off perhaps the best season of his career in 2023, as he matched his career high with 119 receptions, set a new career high with 1,799 receiving yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

Jackson is likely to win his second career NFL MVP Award this season after completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 821 yards and five scores.

The 27-year-old is arguably the most dynamic quarterback in NFL history, so it comes as little surprise that other NFL stars believe he would excel in flag football.

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates noted that the flag football blitzing rule would make Lamar a clear choice for the Olympic team, saying: "You can't have somebody who's just going to be a statue back there. You've got to have somebody who can move. Lamar would probably be my No. 1 pick, because if you get a rusher, you can take off."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield agreed, saying: "After hearing some of the rules and how you can rush the passer, you've got to go with Lamar. Guys have got to keep up with him."

It is unclear if NFL players will be permitted to play in the Olympics in 2028, but NFL executive Peter O'Reilly said in October that the NFL and the NFL Players' Association would work together to try to make it happen.

Pro Bowlers have been getting a crash course in flag football from national team members this week ahead of Sunday's Pro Bowl flag football game, and while many of the same principles remain from tackle football, there are plenty of differences as well.

NFL stars would likely have to put extra work in to be capable of playing flag football at the Olympic level, but if they can gain a strong understanding of the game, their overall talent would undoubtedly give them an advantage over their opponents.