Justin Jefferson had a dream as a kid.

Beyond playing in the NFL, he wanted to be part of the Olympics and win a gold medal. Thing is, as a football player, he didn't have the means to get it done – there was no lane to global dominance in the same way there is for other sports, such as track and field and basketball, which he envied in a sense.

Until Tuesday.

Earlier this week at the Spring League Meetings at Omni Viking Lakes, NFL owners unanimously voted to allow NFL athletes to play flag football when it's introduced at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Now, Minnesota's all-everything receiver has the chance to potentially realize another boyhood dream.

"It's something that's so special," Jefferson said Tuesday beside Vikings teammate Brian Asamoah II and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "Even though it's three years down the line, and there's still planning (to be done), just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting the gold medal is a dream."

Jefferson and Asamoah have helped promote flag football as it has gained popularity around the world; "Jets" made a cameo in the NFL Flag 50 commercial that aired during Super Bowl LIX, and Asamoah has sponsored youth flag teams in Ghana and traveled there this spring in support of its "Road to LA28" program for a camp in Accra.

With such an impactful decision top of mind, it's fun to wonder who would be included on Team USA?

Tashan Reed of The Athletic on Wednesday stated the case for Jefferson, who is frankly mentioned in dang near every article and social media conversation that's geared at building the ultimate flag team.

First, Reed laid out important parameters: 1) The games will be played in a five-on-five format, and teams will roster 10 players; 2) A single player for each NFL team is able to participate for their respective country – for instance, only one Viking could play for Team USA. Minnesota, however, could still have multiple participants if they meet eligibility standards through dual citizenship.

Also, it's worth knowing college players can try out, and the NFL landscape – i.e. its biggest stars and best athletes – may look a little different in three years. That said, here's Reed's stab at a U.S. "Dream Team" Or at least a dream offense.

• Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson
• Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs
• Vikings WR Justin Jefferson
• Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase
• Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter

It's incredibly hard to argue against Reed's picks.

In Jackson, he employs a throw-on-the-run savant, who is unparalleled at buying time in and out of the pocket and could embarrass a maximum of two rushers that must identify themselves before the snap.

Minnesota's rival Gibbs has tremendous receiving ability on option routes and wheels up the field — and has the kind of 0-to-60 acceleration that would drive opposing flag-snatchers crazy. On Reed's squad, Gibbs will have the added responsibility of snapping the ball to Jackson before he releases into a pattern.

Reed touted Jefferson's college teammate Chase as the best at creating yards after the catch, and hyped Hunter, the No. 2 overall draft pick who won the 2024 Heisman Trophy, as the ultimate flag player for his prowess as a two-way player at Colorado. Regarding Jefferson, who turns 26 years old on June 16, Reed said he's "the best receiver in the NFL and would be a colossal mismatch against just about any defender."

Yeah, it's hard to argue with that.

PFWA announces off-field awards finalists

Football folks jokingly refer to this time of year as "List Season" because of an influx of rankings.

The Pro Football Writers of America, however, are wrapping up "Award Season." On Wednesday, the faction of writers finalized their balloting for seven different off-field awards that will be presented to people working in or associated with the NFL. The honors will be announced between May 27 and June 4.

It's yet another chance for current and former Vikings to collect some hardware.

Minnesota is represented in four of the seven groups of finalists: former starting quarterback Sam Darnold is up for the George Halas Award, which recognizes the player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed; Head Coach Kevin O'Connell is a finalist for the Horrigan Award, which recognizes a league, club or other official for his or her qualities and professional style in helping the Pro Football writers do their jobs; the Vikings public relations department is being considered for the Pete Rozelle Award, which goes to the club PR staff that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media; and former Vikings assistants Floyd Peters (1986-90) and John Teerlinck (1992-94) are up for the Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award, which is a lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL (there will be two recipients of the "Dr. Z" honor in 2025).

As for the rest of the relevant field, here's what each current/former Vikings finalist is up against.

George Halas Award finalists: Darnold, Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow, Cleveland RB Nick Chubb and Los Angeles Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins. Announcement schedule: Tuesday, May 27, at noon (CT).

Horrigan Award finalists: O'Connell, Los Angeles Rams President Kevin Demoff, San Francisco General Manager John Lynch, NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy and NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. Announcement schedule: Friday, May 30, at noon (CT).

Pete Rozelle Award finalists: Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. Announcement schedule: Monday, June 2, at noon (CT).

Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award finalists: Peters, Teerlinck, Thomas Catlin, Richie Petitbon, Terry Robiskie and Jeff Stoutland. Announcement schedule: Tuesday, June 3, at noon (CT).

In addition, the PFWA will recognize winners of the Good Guy Award, Bill Nunn, Jr., Award and Terez A. Paylor Emerging Writer Award. Details on all seven awards, and biographies of finalists can be read here.

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