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Fans Think The NFL Screwed Over The 49ers With Brutal Schedule Decision

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, right, talks with head coach Kyle Shanahan
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, right, talks with head coach Kyle Shanahan Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

A day before the release of the full 2026 NFL schedule, fans put the San Francisco 49ers and the league in the spotlight. San Francisco will play in two international games in 2026.

They posted a decent 2025 season, even though they missed key pieces such as Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Mykel Williams and others.

The Seattle Seahawks dominated them in the divisional round of last season’s playoffs, making it clear they were on completely different levels.

After a busy offseason, the 49ers might not be ready yet to challenge their division rivals. More than that, the league’s scheduling decision could make things harder for Kyle Shanahan’s team. The coach was skeptical about the benefits of international games for teams in March.

NFL Fans Convinced That League Punished San Francisco 49ers

Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; A San Francisco 49ers helmet sits on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Upon learning that the league announced it will send the Niners to Mexico after they play Week 1 in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams, insider Albert Breer remembered Shanahan’s words.

“They complained about Australia so the NFL decided to send them to Mexico too,” Breer wrote.

That tweet opened the door for more fans to accuse the league of punishing the 49ers.

“It would be in their best interest to let the Niners win the Super Bowl to combat the narrative of ‘tired traveling teams,’” one fan said.

“Brutal. At least in Mexico it will be a home game,” another fan said.

“Well tbf Mexico City is closer to them than the East Coast and it’ll be an actual home game for them. In regards to the Melbourne game, it is week 1 they can always go out a week before to acclimatise,” a third fan said.

“NFL really doing everything they can to keep them far away from that substation when possible,” a fourth fan said.

“At least it keeps them away from the power station,” a fifth fan wrote.

The Niners will have several players back, but things might not go as smoothly as they want. It could all start with their international games.

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