Shanahan Defends McVay's Comments on Australia NFL Games
49ers coach cites travel challenges after Rams' Week 1 loss in Melbourne.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan defended Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay's recent statement expressing a desire not to play in Australia again. McVay's comments surfaced after the Rams suffered a significant 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne to open the 2026 NFL season.
Shanahan, when asked about returning to Australia, suggested that the extensive travel associated with international games presents considerable challenges for teams. "Seventeen games are very tough. Every game is so tough and what you put into it for seven days," Shanahan said. "Anytime you put more travel on it, it makes it a lot harder. That’s something no team really wishes for, whether it’s 16 hours away or five hours away. The farther, the harder."
He added that such international games are always more difficult, especially when they involve such long travel distances. Shanahan noted that ideally, teams playing internationally would have a bye week immediately following to help mitigate the effects of the travel and disruption to their routine.
The NFL balances the business aspect of expanding the sport globally with the practical demands on players and coaches, who often prefer a consistent weekly routine. Disruptions to this routine can impact game preparation.
The 49ers, however, embraced their week in Australia, fulfilling their international obligations and securing a decisive victory to start their season. They are now preparing for their Week 2 matchup against the Dolphins.