Payton doesnt see influx of NFL players in U.S. flag football
Kevin SeifertMar 31, 2026, 12:28 PM ET Close Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate…
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Kevin Seifert
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PHOENIX — After experiencing firsthand the nuances of flag football, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that he would be “surprised” if there are any NFL players on the United States team in the near future.
Earlier this month, Payton coached the Founders FFC team — made up of current and former NFL players and captained by Tom Brady — during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. Founders FFC lost both games in the tournament, including a 43-16 defeat to the existing USA team. Flag football will be an Olympic sport in 2028.
“I think when this first was announced, there was this feeling there would be 10 NFL players on that roster,” Payton said while speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meetings. “And I’ll be surprised if there’s one. I think we have plenty of players that can acclimate, but it’s going to take a month or two. And then if you’re one of those players, do you have that month or two? And if you’re training for that, you’re not training [for NFL football]? And so I just think it’s in a good spot. I thought it was great for our international team, and more importantly, great for the women’s side of it, because there’s an avenue where they can play football.”
NFL owners approved a policy last year to permit their players to try out for the United States team, though they limited eligibility to a maximum of one per team. Many have expressed interest, but the NFL players proved a mismatch for the USA team.
Speaking Tuesday, Payton compared the experience to the Home Alone movies.
“That was humbling,” Payton said. “You remember the Home Alone series, and [actor] Macaulay Culkin was inside? Well, Macaulay Culkin was the international team and I felt like [defensive coordinator Jim] Harbaugh and I, were the two guys outside getting hit in the head, tripping over the garden hose. It’s an entirely different game.”
