Fans Convinced NFL Punished 49ers With International Schedule

Over a month ago the NFL announced that the San Francisco 49ers would be heading to Australia in Week 1 to take on the Los Angeles Rams. That decision didn't sit well with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who publicly complained about the travel inconvenience. But another game has people believing that Shanahan and his team are being punished for that.

Back on March 30, Shanahan declared that he doesn't see "any pro" to playing outside of the league.

"I don't see any pro," Shanahan said. "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."

Well, on Wednesday the NFL announced that not only will Shanahan's 49ers be playing in Australia this year, they'll be playing in Mexico as well. They will be the designated home team at Estadio Banorte in Week 11 for Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.

Punishment?

Some fans and analysts recalled what Shanahan said back in March and wondered if the league had perhaps decided to punish the 49ers coach for speaking negatively about the international series.

"They complained about Australia so the NFL decided to send them to Mexico too," NFL insider Albert Breer mused on X.

"The NFL sending Shanahan and the most injury prone team all around the world just for fun," another fan joked.

"Hahaha they complained about Australia, so the league sent them to Mexico too," a third wrote.

However, a closer look at other statements that Shanahan has made kind of pours cold water on the idea that the NFL "punished" the 49ers. Shanahan has explicitly said that he wanted the 49ers to play in Mexico City - just as long as they were playing the rival Rams.

"I'm requesting them in Mexico. Not that it gives us an advantage, but it's fair to make them go out of the country twice, too," Shanahan said earlier this offseason.

It seems the NFL decided to meet them halfway: Giving them a game in Mexico, just not against the Rams or any division rivals.

Oh well.

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 11:02 AM.