Sean McVay wants nothing to do with Australia ever again, and he is not shy about saying it. After his Los Angeles Rams suffered a brutal 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne in Week 1, the coach’s bold travel plan completely backfired, leaving him wishing he could Neuralyze the whole trip from his memory. This wasn’t just a bad game, folks; this was a nightmare that has McVay publicly vowing to avoid the land Down Under for good.
McVay’s Melbourne Mayhem and a Mind-Wipe Wish
Can you believe the Rams rolled into Melbourne just one day before their Week 1 clash? Seriously, a 17-hour time difference and they thought a 24-hour lead-up was enough? The outcome was as predictable as the Emerald City getting rain in April: they got absolutely run off the field, losing 27-7 to the 49ers. McVay, looking back on that disaster, sounds like he’d rather erase it from existence. He said he wants his team to “be present right now and move forward,” adding, “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.’” The “Men in Black” thing, of course, is that mind-wiping device, and McVay wants one for his Australia memories. He doubled down, stating, “We’re not playing in Australia ever again, I hope.” He quickly clarified it wasn’t the “great atmosphere,” but the message was crystal clear. He just doesn’t want to go back. Period.
Roger Goodell’s Global Ambition Puts the 12s in the Crosshairs
Here is where it gets interesting for us, the 12s. While McVay is dreaming of memory wipes, the NFL, specifically Commissioner Roger Goodell, is seeing dollar signs and global expansion. Goodell made it clear in April that “There’s no question that we’re going to be playing here again.” He added, “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 NFL even has a multi-year partnership with Melbourne, where future games are likely to be played, though Sydney and Perth were considered. The problem for McVay? The Rams hold the international marketing rights in Australia. But here is the kicker: our very own Seattle Seahawks also hold those international marketing rights in Australia, alongside the Eagles and Raiders! So, if the NFL is truly committed to more games Down Under and McVay’s public plea actually sways them from sending the Rams again, who do you think they’ll look at next?
McVay might want to hit that Neuralyzer, but Roger Goodell and the NFL are clearly locked in on Australia for the long haul. With our Seahawks holding those same international marketing rights, this isn’t just a Rams problem. Get ready, Emerald City, because while McVay hopes to avoid the Down Under trip, the NFL might just be looking at the 12s to represent next time. We’ll be watching how this international chess match plays out, especially with the NFL’s clear commitment to future games in Melbourne.
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