Evidently, the Los Angeles Rams have gotten under Kyle Shanahan’s skin over their trip to Australia.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The NFC West has been defined by bitter rivalries, and none has taken center stage in recent years like the one between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. The Rams and 49ers have dueled for the NFC West every year since Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan took over their respective franchises, and the rival between the two runs deep.
So it comes as no surprise to see that Shanahan fired off a shot at the Rams. At the NFL Owner’s Meeting on Tuesday, Shanahan vented that he knew “for a fact” the Rams lobbied to play San Francisco in Australia because of their home crowd issues.
To turn that around, Shanahan requested to play the Rams in Mexico, so neither divisional game would be at home.
Spicy! #49ers HC Kyle Shanahan says he knows for a fact the #Rams lobbied to play them in Australia because 49ers fans take over SoFi Stadium.
Shanahan wants the NFL, in return, to send the Rams to Mexico later in the year when the 49ers have a game there.
“I’m requesting them… pic.twitter.com/RCxPQYWdAl
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 31, 2026
Kyle Shanahan fires a shot at Los Angeles Rams fans
Over the years, it’s become a bit of a meme that 49ers fans take over SoFi stadium when the 49ers come to town. It’s true that 49ers fans do travel well, and to their credit, they usually do fill out plenty of the stadium. Turns out it’s easy to do so when you play in the same state.
Chris Simms asked Kyle Shanahan if the Rams requested that because they were “sick of seeing 49ers fans “dominate the crowd” at SoFi. Shanahan agreed, and took his shot there.
Yeah, absolutely. I get that, you know, having to use your silent cadence and to have our home game at their stadium, so I get their ambitions, and they were rewarded for that. So I’m just hoping we get ours too.
Kyle Shanahan
Evidently, Shanahan is still upset at the Rams for having to travel internationally. It’s hilarious to see that there is no love lost here despite the relationship McVay and Shanahan had prior to this rivalry.
I’m sure Shanahan’s comments won’t incense anyone, and we’ll see if him speaking out publicly like this generates any pushback from Rams fans or the league (it would be rather poetic if the NFL sent a non-Rams team to Mexico).
For now, the Los Angeles Rams are focused on the upcoming NFL Draft and getting organized for their Week 1 matchup with the 49ers.
Los Angeles Rams News