'Surprised if there's one': Broncos HC Sean Payton doesn't see stream of NFL stars in flag football at 2028 Olympics

The 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles left Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton feeling like Harry and Marv in the 1990 Christmas classic "Home Alone." 

Payton's team certainly looked like it had fallen into one of Kevin McCallister's traps. The coach's team, Founders FFC, lost 43-16 to Team USA Flag Football in their first round-robin match at the event on March 21. They played again in the championship game, where it was closer, but the coach's team lost 24-14. 

Sean Payton discusses how Fanatics Flag Football Classic shows NFL stars aren't ready for 2028 Summer Olympics

"That was humbling," Payton said Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting in Phoenix, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "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."

Payton's team wasn't lacking for talent. His roster featured future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady, Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and Eagles WR DeVonta Smith. Team USA, meanwhile, had no NFL players. 

Flag football will become an Olympic sport at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Fans who were hoping to see their favorite NFL stars go for gold may be disappointed. 

"I think when this was first announced, there was this feeling there would be 10 NFL players on that roster," Payton said. "And I'll be surprised if there's one. I think we can have plenty of players 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 think it's just in a good spot. I thought it was great for the international team, and more importantly, great for the women's side of it, because there's an avenue where they can play football." 

Former New England Patriots QB Brady suggested flag football introduce more NFL concepts to shorten the learning curve. However, the sport may not be ready to do that in time for the 2028 Olympics. 

The Olympic debut of flag football remains highly anticipated. Payton's prediction, however, looks correct, which dampens some excitement for the sport. It'll be similar to 3-on-3 basketball, which doesn't feature many NBA stars.

Unlike tackle football, basketball features the classic version of its sport in the Olympics. Until more countries start playing the game, it appears Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson won't be standing on a podium at the Summer Games anytime soon.