NFL players have received clearance to participate in flag football when the sport makes its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics. However, it seems that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not be involved, according to comments relayed by Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. The NFL owners unanimously approved the participation of players in the Olympics during their spring meetings in Minneapolis last week, as reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Mahomes has previously indicated that he might not seek a spot on the Team USA flag football squad for the Olympics. This decision is understandable, considering the potential risk of injury while he continues his career with the Chiefs. Despite Mahomes likely opting out, Team USA is expected to have a pool of elite quarterbacks to choose from, including Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and reigning Super Bowl champion Jalen Hurts. Hurts was featured in a promotional advertisement announcing flag football's inclusion in the Los Angeles Games and expressed his interest in participating during a press conference leading up to the Super Bowl.

Hurts stated, "I don't know if there's anything official. If we'd be able to participate, but I know it'd be a great honor to be able to represent and have the opportunity to have a gold medal. A lot of other sports have that opportunity. I think it'd be great for us to have that same chance as well." Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow also expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying, "That's an exciting opportunity. I'm not entirely sure how that would work out with training camp and all of our obligations here. But that's something I would like to do for sure." As flag football approaches its Olympic debut, while Mahomes may be out, Hurts and Burrow, among others, could very well be in the mix.