Goodell Responds to Shanahan’s Criticism of Melbourne Trip

TL;DR

Kyle Shanahan expressed frustration over the 49ers' long flight to Melbourne for their Week 1 game against the Rams, questioning the benefits of such travel. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged Shanahan's concerns but emphasized the league's commitment to global expansion and making the trip a positive experience.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't mince words when discussing his team's upcoming Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia, against the Los Angeles Rams. Speaking recently from the NFL meetings, Shanahan made his frustration clear regarding the logistics of the 17 hour flight and the massive distance from home. "Oh, so fired up," Shanahan said in a characteristically sarcastic tone. "That was our goal: to go 19 hours away to play a game... I don't see any pro [for the team]. It's cool for the league to play globally. I think that's awesome. But as far as the team doing it, no, there's not much benefit to it. Sometimes it's nice to get a bye week after, but it doesn't happen in Week 1." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell heard the remarks loud and clear. During a press conference in Melbourne this Friday, April 10, Goodell offered a diplomatic response to the 49ers' coach. "Coaches have a focus on winning. That's their No. 1 job," Goodell said. "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. I always say coaches like to play at 1 o'clock and 4 o'clock, and don't get in the way of that." Goodell noted that the league is dedicated to making the trip a positive experience for both the 49ers and the Rams. He even joked that he had a personal remedy for Shanahan’s travel woes. "I have an app for him [for jet lag], which I'm going to send to him because my wife hooked me up with an app, and I've got to tell you, I feel great," Goodell joked. "I have not felt any jet lag at all."

The Logistics of "Down Under"

The matchup is truly a unique entry in the 2026 NFL slate. Because of the 17 hour time difference, the timing is a bit of a head scratcher for fans back in the States:

US Broadcast: Thursday, September 10, at 5:35 p.m. PT / 8:35 p.m. ET.
Melbourne Local Time: Friday, September 11, at 10:35 a.m. AEST.
Venue: The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which holds 100,000 fans. The game is a massive step in the NFL's push for global expansion, with Goodell suggesting on Friday that Australia could become a long term fixture for the league, potentially returning as soon as 2027. However, for Shanahan, the focus remains on the immediate fallout. "When they go back, they've got to make sure they're able to continue the competitiveness, because this game is real. This counts," Goodell added. "And they'll go on to Week 2 as soon as they leave here." With the 49ers set to lead the league in travel miles this year, projected to exceed 38,100 miles, the Melbourne opener is the ultimate stress test for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Roger Goodell on #49ers HC Kyle Shanahan not being a fan of playing in Australia:

“His job is to win. His job is to play. … We’ll make it a great experience for the team.”

Goodell added he can send Shanahan an app to help with jet lag.

“I have not felt any jet lag at all. I… pic.twitter.com/Yyfe8KMlmm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 10, 2026

Q&A

What did Kyle Shanahan say about the 49ers' trip to Melbourne?

Kyle Shanahan criticized the 17-hour flight to Melbourne, stating there is no benefit for the team and expressing frustration over the logistics.

How did Roger Goodell respond to Shanahan's criticism?

Roger Goodell acknowledged Shanahan's concerns but emphasized the importance of global expansion for the NFL and assured that the league would make the trip a positive experience.

When is the 49ers vs. Rams game scheduled in Melbourne?

The game is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:35 p.m. PT / 8:35 p.m. ET, which will be Friday, September 11, at 10:35 a.m. AEST in Melbourne.

What are the implications of the 49ers' travel schedule for the 2026 NFL season?

The 49ers are projected to lead the league in travel miles, exceeding 38,100 miles, which poses challenges for their competitiveness in the season, especially after the Melbourne game.