49ers' Trent Williams throws shade at division rival Rams

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams didn't hold back when discussing the team's Week 1 trip to Australia to face division rival Los Angeles Rams. The international matchup eliminates one of the 49ers' biggest annual advantages—playing at SoFi Stadium, where The Faithful routinely outnumber Rams fans and create a near-home atmosphere.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Williams was asked for his thoughts on opening the 2026 NFL season overseas.

"I mean, it took away a home game, in my opinion," Williams said. "It's probably the only thing. It's probably why we had to go to Australia to play the Rams, to kind of cover up some of the deficiencies when it comes to ticket sales on their end, when we go to L.A. So, I'll just leave it at that.

"But no, nobody wants to travel 20 hours to play a football game. Nobody will ever be excited to do that."

Williams' comments echoed sentiments previously expressed by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who has openly criticized the league's decision to send his team to Australia.

In March, Shanahan stated the Rams actively pushed to face the 49ers in the international matchup.

"I know for a fact they did, and that's what's so bothersome," Shanahan said.

He added, "And I get that. That would suck to have to do silent cadence and have our home game at their stadium, so I get their ambitions, but they were rewarded that."

The extensive travel has also been a point of frustration for Shanahan. The 49ers consistently rank among the NFL's most-traveled teams, and this season they could set a league record for the most miles traveled by a team in a single year.

"We only get three close fights, whether it's Seattle, Arizona, and L.A.," Shanahan said in May. "So to get one of those taken away is tough, just when you travel a lot—especially when it's 19 hours away on an airplane. That's not like a small flight. So, that stuff adds up.

"But no, I love our fans taking over SoFi. That's awesome. That's a cool thing. And I get why the Rams don't want that. So it is what it is."