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The Winter Olympics are upon us, but the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are not too far behind.
And with flag football added to the game’s mix, NFL players continue to be asked if they have any interest.
Add Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s leading receiver this year, to the list of players who would love to play in the Games’ newest sport.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after scoring a second quarter touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
“I would,” Smith-Njigba quickly replied when asked during a Super Bowl LX media availability Monday night.
But Smith-Njigba had an interesting answer when asked a follow-up question – “Who is your ideal teammate? Who would you like to play with?”
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Smith-Njigba wasted no time calling out New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, his close friend from their time playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In fact, if Smith-Njigba could make the entire team comprised of former Buckeyes players, he might.
After that, though, he would like someone to come out of retirement.
“I think Tom Brady might come back. That would be great,” he said.
Fox broadcaster Tom Brady is seen before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on December 14, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Brady is sort of coming out of retirement this year, and it’s flag football he’ll be playing next month in Saudi Arabia in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
He is joined by some NFL stars including Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey and Maxx Crosby.
“Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think that’s every NFL player’s first exposure to that, and I wouldn’t miss being a part of that,” he said in September 2025.
“I’ve always admired the power of flag football and how it connects fans of all ages, and it’s fantastic to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage while bringing together so many incredibly talented athletes.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night on February 2, 2026 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire)
Rob Gronkowski, Brady’s trusted tight end from their playing days, said he was asked by Brady to make the trip to the Middle East as well.
So could Brady check off Olympic athlete for his legendary resume? He’ll already be back on the field, so maybe Smith-Njigba is on to something as he prepares for his matchup against Brady’s former New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX this Sunday.
