In the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams looked like a team that had just gotten off a 16-hour flight halfway around the globe. That’s probably because they basically did.
They played the 49ers in Melbourne just 28 hours after touching down in Australia, which was all part of the team’s plans to avoid jet lag and keep players fresh. It backfired spectacularly, as the 49ers routed the Rams, 27-7.
Sean McVay said after the game that he didn’t think the travel was the reason the Rams lost, but more than a week later, he’s finally admitting his grand plans did his team no favors. He dropped a priceless quote after Monday’s win over the Giants, calling himself “a dumbass coach” for approaching Week 1 the way the Rams did.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. And sometimes you have a dumbass coach that makes travel plans that put you in a bad spot,” he said, eliciting a laugh from reporters in attendance.
Sean McVay makes fun of himself for the questionable travel plans for Australia.
“Sometimes you have a dumbass coach that makes travel plans that put you in a bad spot.” 😂😅 pic.twitter.com/EaNP1pJ4Yl
— Gilberto Manzano (@GManzano24) September 22, 2026
McVay is one of the best and brightest coaches in the NFL, but his approach to the Australia game may not have been the right one. The 49ers played with more energy and physicality than the Rams, having been in Melbourne for a week before the game.
It wasn’t the sole reason the Rams lost, but it certainly didn’t help them, either.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay admits his Australia travel plans backfired with priceless quote
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