Before long, fans won’t have to wait for Sundays to see their favorite players in action. The NFL will allow its stars to suit up for flag football in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles — a move that will bring a whole new spotlight to the sport’s faster, more finesse-filled cousin.
Flag football is the stripped-down, non-contact version of the sport and leans heavily on shiftiness, speed, and agility. It’s more about skill than brute force, and it’ll definitely catch the eye of some of the league’s splashiest, flashiest playmakers. A few of them just so happen to call the New York Giants home. Which is exactly why this vote is a bit anxiety-inducing for Giants fans.
While the contact risk is lower, non-contact injuries are often the nastier ones. Torn ligaments. Achilles. Soft-tissue disasters. That makes the Olympic dream exciting — but risky. There’s a reason NFL contracts include clauses about avoiding unnecessary danger.
One Giants player in particular screams “future Olympian,” and if he makes the roster, Big Blue fans are going to be split. His name is Malik Nabers.
Malik Nabers feels like obvious fit for team USA's flag football team
If you were building a flag football roster from scratch, Nabers would be one of the first names on the list. His game is tailored for that setting. Short area quickness. Burst off the line. Acceleration in space. The same traits that made him a rookie Pro Bowler in the NFL would make him a nightmare in a flag football format, which is (funny enough) the Pro Bowl format.
He’s already proven he can operate at a high level without needing ideal conditions. He handled a full NFL route tree, worked out of the slot and outside, and found production even with defenders draped on him. In flag, with no contact and more room to operate, Nabers would get loose early and often. It’s easy to picture him slicing up defenses, settling into open zones, and blowing by would-be flag pullers.
For real... who’s stopping him? The best cornerbacks in the league couldn’t. What chance do weekend warriors have? Nabers wrapped up a record-setting rookie year with 109 receptions, 1,204 yards, and seven touchdowns. His ceiling is limitless.
However, you just never know with injuries if it's worth the risk or not.
Now that the league has officially signed off, there’s going to be a real conversation about who makes the Olympic roster. Nabers should be near the top of that list.
Whether the Giants allow him to take part in the games will be interesting to monitor — there are a lot of moving parts — but you can bet he'll likely be on the shortlist. Nothing is for certain. The games are years away, but fans shouldn't be shocked if Nabers gets a shot at competing for gold.