Mahomes Sidelines Olympic Flag Football Dreams for 2028, Eyes Coaching Role

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown a cautious pass on the idea of joining Team USA for flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. At 32 years old by the time the Games roll around, Mahomes seems content to let the younger, more agile players take the field. "I’ll probably leave that to the younger guys," he told reporters on Thursday, hinting that his days of scrambling might be better spent as a coach or consultant. While he’s previously expressed a spark of interest in Olympic glory, Mahomes questioned whether his skill set fits the fast-paced, non-contact nature of flag football.

The NFL is all-in on the Olympic stage, with owners unanimously approving player participation in the sport’s debut. Names like Tyreek Hill, Aaron Jones, and Kyle Juszczyk have already raised their hands, while Jalen Hurts, fresh off a Super Bowl win, steps up as the flag football ambassador. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted the league’s buzz, with players eager to represent their countries. For Mahomes, though, the gold medal dream might just be a sideline cheer rather than a sprint.