The Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini saga was the biggest storyline hanging over the 2026 NFL schedule release, and the question heading into the evening was straightforward: would any team’s social media department actually go there?
The NFL allowed the teams to handle the Vrabel topic themselves, as it was reported that the league would not review or vet team videos before their release. This effectively left the decision up to each organization, and the Los Angeles Chargers, known as the NFL’s most provocative schedule release trolls, didn’t disappoint.
Colin Cowherd Takes Issue With Chargers For Trolling Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini
The Chargers’ Halo-themed video included multiple references to the Vrabel-Russini scandal during the segment previewing their Week 12 matchup against the New England Patriots.
A billboard along the racetrack read “Next Photo Dump: 1 Mile,” a nod to the photos that have surfaced since the New York Post’s Page Six first published images of Vrabel and Russini at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona, in April.
Moments later, in the video, a notification popped up on screen: “NY Post sent you a message.” The video’s credits also referenced the Spotify playlist people on social media connected to Russini and Vrabel, dating back to his days coaching the Tennessee Titans.
However, veteran analyst Colin Cowherd didn’t find it funny. Speaking on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” he called the Chargers’ decision a mistake, even though many found it funny.
“The NFL said about social media amongst their teams, they said, ‘We do not have to approve your social media campaigns or tweets with us with the schedule release, we’re going to trust your judgment.’ Although it may be funny, I don’t think it was necessarily smart for the Chargers’ social media team, known as very witty, to take shots at Vrabel,” Cowherd said. “That’s friendly fire.”
“I don’t think it was necessarily smart for the Chargers social media team to take shots at Vrabel…if there’s any sport that felt corporate, it’s the NFL. Social media people get fired in corporations for the wrong tweet” – Colin Cowherd pic.twitter.com/2ZDDjSkyrA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 15, 2026
“Protect the shield,” he added. “You want controversies to go away. That is my take. That is not smart. It gets a laugh in the room. You’re building a brand. I do not think that was smart by the Chargers’ social team. That is not protecting the shield… Social media people get fired in corporations for the wrong tweet… The NFL is run by old guys, old rich guys, I’m sorry, it is.”
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Since the Chargers kept their references subtle enough that no line was clearly crossed, it would be surprising if anyone in their social media department loses their job. The AFC West franchise has built its brand on this type of schedule-release video, and it is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
New England can always return the favor on the field. The Patriots eliminated the Chargers from the 2025 playoffs with a 16-3 win in the Wild Card Round at Gillette Stadium, and that November 29 rematch on Sunday Night Football gives Vrabel’s team a chance to deliver a strong response.
All eyes will be on how Drake Maye plays in the upcoming season, as he struggled throughout the playoffs after an impressive regular season.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 90.9, ranking second in the league in 2025. If he can build on his great sophomore campaign, the Patriots are capable of defeating any team in the league.
