Roger Goodell shrugs at Kyle Shanahan's Australia gripe
NFL has no qualms about imposing major time, travel demands on 49ers, Rams.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has griped about starting the 2026 season in the Land Down Under. During a Friday press conference in Melbourne, Commissioner Roger Goodell just smiled and gave him a Vegemite sandwich. Shanahan spoke repeatedly at the recent NFL annual meeting about the team's season-opening game in Australia.
He's obviously not thrilled about a Week 1 game that includes such a long trip through so many time zones. Especially since he believes the Rams specifically lobbied for the 49ers to be the opponent in Melbourne, in order to avoid having 49ers fans commandeer SoFi Stadium (again). At the media held in connection with the September 10 here (September 11 there) game, Goodell shrugged at Shanahan's concerns.
" Coaches have a focus on winning ," Goodell said. "That's their number one job. And so Coach Shanahan is enthusiastic and a great football coach, but also someone who truly understands the importance of expanding our game globally.
But his job is to win. His job is to play. And I always say coaches like to play at 1 o'clock and 4 o'clock — and don't get in the way of that.