Goodell downplays Shanahan's Australia travel gripes, vows NFL commitment

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed concerns raised by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan over playing the 2026 season opener in Melbourne, Australia. The 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams there in Week 1. Goodell described the matchup as the start of a long-term investment in the Australian market.

Shanahan expressed skepticism during the league's owners meetings last month, stating he saw no benefit for the team despite appreciating the NFL's global expansion. He joked about starting the season with a 19- to 20-hour flight and noted the absence of a follow-up bye week. Goodell, speaking to reporters in Australia on Friday, countered by promising to send Shanahan a jet-lag app that worked well for him on the trip.

Goodell praised Shanahan as an enthusiastic coach whose primary focus remains winning games. He emphasized the NFL's efforts to ensure a positive experience for teams, noting the game counts fully toward the regular-season standings. "Coaches have a focus on winning, that’s their No. 1 job," Goodell said. "We’re going to make it a great experience for the team."

Goodell reiterated that the NFL views Australia as a sustained priority, not a one-time event. "There is no question that we are going to be playing here again. Our view is that we are coming here for the long term," he said. Coaches like Shanahan hold limited influence over international scheduling decisions.