NFL Coaches Humbled by Flag Football Matchup Against Team USA

Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan say NFL players may struggle to make Olympic flag football team

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic movements and plays of a flag football game, with players and the ball fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes in a bold color scheme.NFL coaches struggle to adapt to the fast-paced, strategic demands of Olympic-level flag football.Denver Today

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan recently participated in a flag football showcase event against Team USA, where their NFL-player-led teams were soundly defeated. Payton described the experience as 'humbling,' likening it to the incompetent criminals in 'Home Alone.' Both coaches expressed doubt that NFL players would be able to make the Olympic flag football team in 2028, citing the significant differences between the two games.

Why it matters

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will feature flag football as a new event, and the NFL has approved a resolution allowing its players to participate. However, the recent showcase event has raised questions about whether NFL players will be able to successfully transition to the Olympic version of the sport.

The details

At the Fanatics flag football showcase in Los Angeles, teams coached by Payton and Shanahan and featuring NFL players like Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts were thoroughly outmatched by Team USA. Payton said the superior knowledge of the game's rules and nuances by the USA team was evident, and Shanahan admitted they'd 'be in trouble' if they just showed up without proper preparation. Both coaches believe it would take NFL players a month or two to properly acclimate to the Olympic version of flag football, which they say is 'an entirely different game' from the NFL version.

  • The Fanatics flag football showcase took place earlier this month in Los Angeles.
  • The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will feature flag football as a new event.

The players

Sean Payton

The head coach of the Denver Broncos, who coached a team of NFL players at the Fanatics flag football showcase.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who also coached a team of NFL players at the Fanatics flag football showcase.

Team USA

The national flag football team that dominated the NFL-player-led teams at the Fanatics showcase.

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What they’re saying

“'You're getting hit in the head with the iron and tripping over the garden hose.'”

— Sean Payton, Denver Broncos Head Coach

“'It's an entirely different game. But, look, it was kind of cool to be around those guys. That was a big deal. I think when this first was announced, there was this feeling that there would be 10 NFL players on that roster. I'll be surprised if there's one.'”

— Sean Payton, Denver Broncos Head Coach

“'I thought it was more like a seven-on-seven tournament. Then, when I turned on that tape and watched the USA team, I knew we were in trouble — big time. We'd have to be much more strategic to compete with those guys. We'd need to draft all corners and receivers, all little corners and receivers. … It's something we could be good at, but we can't just show up and do it. We'd have to really look at it.'”

— Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers Head Coach

What’s next

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will feature the inaugural Olympic flag football tournament, where it remains to be seen if any NFL players will be part of the Team USA roster.

The takeaway

The recent Fanatics flag football showcase has exposed the significant differences between the NFL version of the game and the Olympic format, raising doubts about whether NFL players will be able to successfully transition and compete at the highest level of international flag football.