Kyle Shanahan sends a stern shot to the NFL regarding clear disadvantage for 49ers in 2026 season, and he’s right
Kyle Shanahan didn’t hold back regarding one unfortunate part of the 49ers’ 2026 schedule.
The San Francisco 49ers are in a critical offseason where they’re looking to reload and get back in the Super Bowl conversations in 2026.
It won’t be easy, however, with a loaded NFC West division to compete in, with the Los Angeles Rams going all-in this offseason with big moves, and the Seattle Seahawks are coming off a dominant Super Bowl win themselves. The 2026 season also has difficulties for the 49ers, and Kyle Shanahan didn’t hold back regarding their schedule at the NFL Annual League Meeting, and he has every right to be upset.
Kyle Shanahan is not happy about the 49ers’ international game schedule
All 32 teams are in Arizona for the NFL Annual League Meeting, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan finally spoke to the media about some of the glaring topics around the team. One of the main topics that got Shanahan going was the 49ers’ 2026 schedule and how they have to play two international games. As expected, Shanahan is not a fan at all.
“So fired up,” Shanahan said. “That was our goal to go 19 hours away and play a game. I think we’re going back in time or in the future. I think we gained a day or lost one. Not sure which yet, but it is what it is, and we’ll deal with it. I think there’s eight international games and we got two of them, so I’m fired up about that. . .They [NFL] tell you when, and you deal with it. . .I don’t see any pros. I mean, it’s cool for the league playing globally, I think that’s awesome, but as far as the team doing it, there’s not much benefit in doing it. Sometimes it’s nice to get it, the bye week after, but it doesn’t happen in Week 1.”
The 49ers have a clear disadvantage in 2026
The 49ers are starting the season by traveling 19 hours away to Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1 for a game kicking off at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 11th in Australia time, but technically a 5:30 p.m. PT kickoff, which shows how different the time change is.
That’s just the first international game for the 49ers in 2026, and they follow it up with a trip to Mexico City, Mexico. The 49ers’ second international game in Mexico City has already been announced, but we probably won’t know when they’re playing there until the official schedule release.
Shanahan has every reason to be upset with not only playing two international games while many teams have none, but also because they start the season on a major time difference that couldn’t be any worse.
San Francisco 49ers News
Latest NFL Draft intel reveals 49ers are preparing to address biggest liability head-on with first-round pick
The 49ers need to fix their biggest weakness in the NFL Draft, and they have their sights on one playmaker who they’re hosting for a top-30 visit.
