San Francisco 49ers fans were forced to watch a division rival celebrate on their home field in February, as the Seattle Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at Levi's Stadium following a Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots.
While the moment was undoubtedly frustrating for the fan base, it carries a different meaning inside the building. For the 49ers, it reinforces the level of competition within the NFC West heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters at the NFL's annual meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday and was asked whether Seattle's championship run alters San Francisco's offseason approach.
"No," Shanahan said honestly. "I mean, it bothers you more. You've got to deal with them twice. Any time you've got to play a team twice, you think about it a little more personnel-wise because you've got to match up with them, and things like that. But as far as winning the Super Bowl, no, it doesn't affect it."
The 49ers and Seahawks became very familiar with one another last season, meeting three times. Two of those meetings came over a three-game stretch.
San Francisco opened the season with a win in Seattle but dropped the regular-season finale at Levi's Stadium. Two weeks later, in the playoffs, the 49ers—fresh off a Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles—returned to Seattle and suffered a lopsided defeat.
The NFC West is once again shaping up to be one of the NFL's toughest divisions in 2026. Along with the Seahawks and 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams remain a strong contender. All three teams reached the playoffs last season and are expected to be in the mix for the division title once again.
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