National outlet projects Texas QB Arch Manning could team up with Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes on a very broad stage

The 2028 Summer Olympics are still years away, but with the announcement that the NFL will allow its players to participate in the inaugural flag football event in the games, speculation has begun as to which players could suit up for Team USA in Los Angeles.

Naturally, the biggest names in the NFL have been mentioned, such as Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Tyreek Hill, and so on.  However, there could be some college players who are legitimate options by that point. 

CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah put forth a list of five current college players who could be options for the Olympics, and Texas QB Arch Manning was on the list.  Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, LSU LB Harold Perkins, Ohio State DB Caleb Downs, and Pittsburgh RB Desmond Reid were the other four named. 

CBS Sports names Texas QB Arch Manning as one of five college players who could play for Team USA flag football in the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Jeyarajah had the following to say about Manning as a contender for the Olympics: 

"Let's be clear, the NFL is going to send its biggest and brightest stars at the quarterback position to the Olympics to help market the game. If there's one name that just might be big enough to enter the conversation by 2028, though, it's Arch Manning. The redshirt sophomore has only thrown a few passes at the college level, but showed off an amazing combination of his uncles' arms and grandfather's mobility.

 Additionally, Manning might be a perfect fit for flag football. Quarterbacks rarely get designed runs, but have to embrace their mobility to evade rushers and deliver pinpoint passes into crowded secondaries. Manning has handled pressure well and shown the ability to throw on the run. A Patrick Mahomes-Arch Manning quarterback rotation could be a lot of fun."

Patrick Mahomes, naturally, is the first name who comes to mind for many when talking about quarterbacks who could transition to flag football and help lead Team USA to gold.  The best QB on the planet has the arm talent and the elusiveness that seems to translate from helmets and pads to flags, and he's expressed interest in the possibility of playing for Team USA.

Manning makes a lot of sense as well.  While he possesses a big arm, he has plus athleticism at the position with excellent speed, something obviously important when trying to avoid defenders reaching for flags. 

As current Team USA QB and captain Darrell Doucette III has argued, flag football is a different animal from tackle football.  That's true, but it's also true that the caliber of athlete at the NFL and flag football levels is very much not the same. 

And that's why it wouldn't be a shock to see Mahomes and Manning ultimately end up on the field together getting ready to help Team USA take home the gold medal.