2 different travel plans add to the Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay rivalry

INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 2: Head Coach of the Los Angeles Rams with Head Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers on the field after the game at SoFi Stadium on October 2, 2025 in Inglewood, California. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers landed in Australia yesterday, or today, depending on the time zone used. The Los Angeles Rams plan to fly in the day before the game and leave right after. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay are on differing sides of travel plans, which only adds to the rivalry between the two coaches.

The thought process of landing early is so the 49ers can acclimate to the time zone and won't hop off the plane and head straight to the stadium. Given the age and injury status of the 49ers roster, this isn't a bad idea and will allow the players time to work through any swelling or anything else caused by the long flight.

The Rams are on the opposite side. After their travel plans of get in and get out worked last season in London against the Jaguars, McVay is sticking with the if it ain't broke, don't fix it" motto. Throttling the Jaguars is a good reference point for the travel discussion.

So, which coach is right? Truthfully, if the 49ers win on Thursday, it won't be because of their travel plans, and if they lose, it isn't because the Rams are smarter." Still, that's how it will be framed based on the outcome of the game.

Executing an effective game plan against the Rams' defense has little to do with travel plans. The worry is that if the Rams come out flat and the 49ers take advantage, the blame will shift to flying in so close to kickoff. As an NFL head coach, you have to give your team every advantage possible, and both coaches are doing what they think is best in this odd situation of playing down under.

The funniest part will be the result of this game adding to the Shanahan/McVay debate on who is the better and smarter coach. That argument should be determined by the results on the field, not the differing traveling ideologies.