Updated Feb. 10, 2026, 6:47 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
This concept aims to provide a new pathway for international athletes to enter the league.<\/p>\n
This story was updated to correct a misspelling.<\/p>\n
The NFL is always looking to expand its brand, and former Penn State<\/a> linebacker Micah Parsons had a unique idea that revolves around Notre Dame.<\/p>\n The current Green Bay Packers star told Front Office Sports<\/a> that he\u2019d like to see \u201can international team, I know that it\u2019d be uneven in divisions, but I look at it like, make it like the Notre Dame of the NFL.\u201d What Parsons was suggesting was a team that would take stars from across the globe and have them play an open schedule, giving a much more international feel to the game.<\/p>\n At the moment, the route to the professionals is through college. With that game so focused in the United States, Parson believes there\u2019s room for other great athletes to make the NFL more interesting. It\u2019s a unique take on expansion, one that I don\u2019t think would ever happen unless the game is grown better on a global stage.<\/p>\n Collegiate programs such as Notre Dame are a pipeline to the NFL, and without top high school competition, it would be difficult to field a team that could compete at the highest level.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n Contact\/Follow us\u00a0@IrishWireND<\/a>\u00a0on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n Follow Mike on X:@MikeFChen<\/a><\/p>\n