10 Athletes From Other Sports Who Could Play in the Super Bowl: Who's Playing QB?
Last Updated: February 7, 2026 11:08 AM EST • 4 minute read X Social Google News Link
Every year during Super Bowl week, the "what if" conversations start. We see the best of the best on the world stage, but it's hard not to wonder how the giants of the NBA, MLB, and NHL, would fare under the spotlight of the Super Bowl. Who would make the roster? What position would they play?
Here are 10 athletes from other sports who could play in the Super Bowl. Let's have some fun with this one, shall we?
🏈 10 athletes we'd love to see in the Super Bowl
Here are the best 10 athletes from other professional sports we'd love to see suit up in the Super Bowl.
🧱 Defense
Zion Williamson (NBA) - Defensive tackle
Zion is 285 pounds of explosive power (when he's healthy). His second-jump ability is legendary, which would translate into a devastating "bull rush" as an interior defensive lineman. He has the "leverage" and strength to collapse an NFL pocket by himself. Just imagine him and Myles Garrett on the same line, they'd cause some damage.
Age: 25
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 285 pounds
Comparable: Chris Jones
Jazz Chisholm (MLB) - Cornerback
NFL cornerbacks need elite flexibility, endurance, and recovery speed. Not only that, but they are usually lanky, with their long arms used to rack up pass defenses. Chisholm possesses all of these skills - just watch him go from first to third to see his explosiveness, and that's all you'll need to convince yourself he'd be a solid defensive back.
Age: 28
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 184 pounds
Comparable: Patrick Surtain
Anthony Edwards (NBA) - Safety
"Ant-Man" is arguably the most athletic player in the NBA today. He has famously stated he could have played in the NFL, and his combination of lateral quickness and downhill explosiveness would make him a terrifying ball-hawk safety. He wouldn't hit as hard as Kam Chancellor, but he'd have the skills to lead the NFL in picks.
Age: 24
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 225 pounds
Comparable: Ed Reed
Tom Wilson (NHL) - Defensive end
At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the Washington Capitals winger is built like a prototypical NFL defensive end. Wilson is famous for his heavy hitting and a high-motor playing style that would translate seamlessly to a 4-3 defense. He has the size to set the edge against the run and the mean streak required to intimidate quarterbacks in the pocket. I'd slap him right in the middle of my defense.
Age: 31
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 220 pounds
Comparable: Maxx Crosby
Mike Trout (MLB) - Linebacker
Trout is built like a brick house. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, he has the explosive lower-body strength of a modern NFL linebacker. His history as a high school football standout in New Jersey proves he has the "hit power" to compete in the trenches. I'd love to watch Trout go one-on-one with an NFL linebacker in the A gap.
Age: 34
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 235 pounds
Comparable: Fred Warner
Aaron Judge (MLB) - Defensive end
Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 282 pounds, the Yankees’ captain has the exact frame of an elite NFL edge rusher. His get-off speed and raw power would make him a nightmare for offensive tackles. In another life, Judge is likely a perennial Pro-Bowl defensive end with double-digit sacks per season. Pair him with DeMarcus Lawrence on the Seahawks line and Drake Maye would be waking up in cold sweats.
Age: 33
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 282 pounds
Comparable: Jason Taylor
🔥 Offense
It's time to score some touchdowns - and this team could suit up today and win a couple of games.
Shohei Ohtani (MLB) - Quarterback
The Unicorn of baseball has the arm strength to throw 100 mph and the speed to steal 50 bases. That's the literal definition of a dual-threat NFL quarterback. Ohtani's poise and ability to process information at a high speed would translate perfectly to an NFL pocket. He wouldn't quite be a Lamar Jackson, but I'd compare him closer to Josh Allen at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.
Age: 31
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 210 pounds
Comparable: Josh Allen
Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA) - Wide receiver
Who's stopping him? The Greek Freak has a wingspan of nearly 7-foot-3. As a wide receiver, his catch radius would be the largest in NFL history. He wouldn't even need to beat cornerbacks with speed; he could simply "Moss" them. He'd be a red-zone specialist, and you'd have to at least double him every single time his offense got inside the 10-yard line.
Age: 31
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 243 pounds
Comparable: Davante Adams
Connor McDavid (NHL) - Running back
The NHL’s fastest skater has the elite vision and footwork required to be a star NFL tailback. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, McDavid’s ability to accelerate from zero to 100 in a heartbeat and cut on a dime is a trait shared by the likes of Christian McCaffrey. He’d be a weapon in the screen game, and if he sniffs an open lane, watch out - he's gone.
Age: 29
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 195 pounds
Comparable: Christian McCaffrey
LeBron James (NBA) - Tight end
At 6-foot-9 and roughly 250 pounds, LeBron is the ultimate "what if" in NFL history. With his vertical leap and massive wingspan, he would be the league's premier red-zone threat. Imagine Sam Darnold throwing a fade to LeBron in the corner of the end zone in the Super Bowl - it would be virtually undefendable. As a pure athlete, James could have arguably suited up in the NFL in his prime and have been a Pro Bowler.
Age: 29
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 250 pounds
Comparable: Darren Waller
🦵 Special teams
Harry Kane (Soccer) - Kicker
Unlike many soccer players who have touch but lack the explosive leg strength for long, game-winning field goals, Kane is a power striker. He has openly expressed his desire to become an NFL kicker after his soccer career ends, and he has the measurables to back it up. If we are looking for the perfect crossover athlete to step into a Super Bowl pressure cooker and nail a 55-yarder, the answer lies with Kane.
Age: 32
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 190 pounds
Comparable: Brandon Aubrey
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Dustin Saracini X social