NFL faces calls to mandate early travel for international week one games

Following the Rams' recent trip to Melbourne, critics are calling for the NFL to establish mandatory early arrival requirements for teams playing international games in Week 1. Michael Holley, appearing on PFT Live, suggested the league should treat these fixtures similar to the Super Bowl by requiring teams to arrive well in advance of kickoff. The proposal aims to ensure both teams are fully acclimated to local conditions, preventing a competitive imbalance caused by differing travel itineraries. The 49ers, who arrived in Australia a week ahead of their game, appeared better prepared for the matchup than the Rams. Proponents of the mandate argue that the league should remove travel decisions from the teams' control to maintain fairness and promote the game effectively within international markets. The NFL has not yet indicated whether it will alter its travel policies for future international contests.

• 12:30 PMYahoo Sports — Should NFL mandate early travel for Week 1 international games?