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Sean Payton, Roger Goodell Split on NFL Players for 2028 U.S. Flag Football Team

The rift highlights how different the 5-on-5 flag game is from tackle football.

Overview

  • Broncos coach Sean Payton, speaking Tuesday at the NFL meetings, said he would be surprised if even one active NFL player makes Team USA’s 2028 flag roster.
  • Commissioner Roger Goodell countered Tuesday that he expects NFL players to compete in Olympic flag football and said players want to play.
  • Team USA’s specialist roster routed two NFL‑heavy lineups at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in March, including a 43-16 win, exposing gaps in rule savvy and flag skills.
  • NFL owners already allow tryouts with a cap of one player per team, yet Payton warned that learning the format could take a month or two that conflicts with NFL training.
  • Team USA coach Jorge Cascudo praised Odell Beckham Jr. as a possible fit, and CBS Sports reported Robert Griffin III received a camp invite to vie for a world championship roster spot.