The Los Angeles Chargers will travel the most miles of any NFL team this season, despite not having any games outside the United States. Teams traveling internationally include the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. Among these, the Patriots are the only team scheduled to play overseas. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will start the international series in Brazil on Friday night.
According to Chris Smith, the Chargers' equipment manager for 35 years, the logistics behind these extensive road trips involve detailed planning and packing. Players pack their own bags, while trainers double-check for any missing equipment. As the season progresses into colder months, teams must remember to include warm gear like coats and hand warmers, adding further complexity to the packing process.
The sheer weight of the equipment also poses notable challenges. Every NFL team must usually account for at least 53 equipment bags, each weighing around 18 pounds. The total weight, including additional bags for practice squad players, can reach up to 15,000 pounds—approximately 20,000 pounds for cold-weather games—forcing teams to report weights to airlines for safety reasons.
Overall, once the team reaches the host city, unloading and unpacking take about three hours, requiring at least ten buses and trucks for the transportation of players, coaches, and everything necessary for game day preparation.
[
Collection
]
[
|
...
]