Man, the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 1 trip to Australia was a certified disaster, not just on the scoreboard but in head coach Sean McVay’s head. After suffering a brutal 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, McVay is openly wishing he could hit the “Men in Black” neuralyzer and wipe the whole thing from his memory.
A Nightmare Down Under and a Coach’s Fury
It’s not just the score that has McVay seeing red. The Rams rolled into Melbourne a mere **one day** before kickoff, a bold travel plan that completely backfired. Players didn’t get enough time to adjust to that brutal 17-hour time difference, and it absolutely showed when they got run off the field. You can feel the frustration when he talks about it. “I want to see us be present right now and move forward,” McVay told reporters. “That game is so far. … It’s almost like you try to do the ‘Men in Black’ thing where you say, ‘Hey, I don’t remember what happened. That was so long ago.’” And he’s not just over the memories, he’s over the whole idea. “We’re not playing in Australia ever again, I hope,” he declared. He’s clearly hoping the NFL is listening loud and clear.
The NFL’s Long Game and What It Means for the Emerald City
Here’s the kicker though: the NFL might not care what McVay wants. Commissioner Roger Goodell already made it clear back in April: Australia is a long-term play. “There’s no question that we’re going to be playing here again,” Goodell stated. “Our view is that we’re coming here for the long term. We don’t come as a one-off. This isn’t a circus. This is something that’s an investment in this market, and we believe that this is long-term and will be great for the NFL long-term.” The league has a multi-year partnership with Melbourne, meaning more games are definitely coming. And guess what? While the Rams hold international marketing rights in Australia, so do our very own **Seahawks**, along with the Eagles and Raiders. So, if McVay’s wish gets granted and the Rams are off the hook, who do you think the league might look to send Down Under next?
With Goodell’s commitment to more games and McVay’s public plea to be spared, the spotlight could shift right to the Emerald City. Our Hawks hold those marketing rights, meaning a trip to Australia isn’t just a hypothetical, it’s a real possibility. We’ll be watching closely to see which team gets the next international “investment” trip. Let’s just hope our coaching staff has a better travel plan if that call comes!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply