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49ers Enter 2026 Buried in Off-Field Drama Before Facing the Rams in Australia
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- 49ers Enter 2026 Buried in Off-Field Drama Before Facing the Rams in Australia
Six days before the San Francisco 49ers start their 2026 NFL regular-season schedule versus the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, the full focus for them should be on the field.
It should be all about topics such as how they will neutralize Rams newcomer Myles Garrett, the fearsome pass rusher who was last season's Defensive Player of the Year. How the Niners will defend L.A.'s twin threats at wide receiver in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Whether Nick Bosa, George Kittle and Mike Evans will be cleared to play after the injuries they have been dealing with. Whether rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling is ready to truly be a factor.
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Instead, the franchise has been mired in some off-the-field drama in recent weeks, starting with the arrest of owner Jed York and the possibility that he will face consequences from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
It all led to Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated declaring the 49ers as one of the league's losers this summer.
Too much drama for the Red and Gold
Manzano cited a number of issues when he listed the Niners as an offseason loser.
"I don't even know where to begin with all that occurred in San Francisco this summer," he wrote.
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"There were multiple scandals: one involving the head coach and the other involving the team owner, conspiracy theories about a nearby electrical substation, several injuries to key players and an imposter who claimed to have played for the 49ers as a way to scam people for money. That last one isn't on the 49ers, but their team name being attached to it is the cherry on top for this drama-filled summer that turned into gold for tabloids. This doesn't even include disgruntled receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who's somehow still employed by the 49ers and hasn't said much in a while."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was involved in a car crash not too long ago, and he was visibly scarred once his team reported to training camp. He reportedly suffered a concussion while breaking his nose, hand and three ribs during the incident, which took place in Palo Alto on July 14.
To his credit, he took responsibility, as he admitted the crash happened when he took his eye off the road to find his phone, which had fallen.
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People have also been talking about the theory that the Niners' many injuries over the years have been caused by an electrical substation that is located near their training facility in Santa Clara. General manager John Lynch said that the franchise hired an independent scientist to research whether that substation has actually had an effect on its rash of injuries, and the scientist found that it has not.
Then there has been the absurd. Daejon Love, a 35-year-old, was arrested after attempting a scheme in which he allegedly posed as a member of the 49ers on social media and dating apps in order to defraud women out of money. He performed this scheme along with Taylor Jamie Chan, whom he allegedly presented as his financial adviser.
Obviously, none of this will necessarily prevent the Niners from having a successful season. But it can, at least from the vantage point of some fans and observers, cast a weird cloud over the franchise and give it the appearance that something is amiss.
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The team has actual on-the-field issues it should be concerned about in reality. The left guard spot is a relative weakness, and a rookie named Carver Willis appears to be the favorite to start there. Other than Bosa, it has no proven defensive ends or edge rushers, and some feel its secondary is suspect.
But San Francisco, as usual, has some high-level talent, and that is why it could at least have a shot at competing with the Rams and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks for NFC West supremacy.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
