The NFL schedule release sparked tons of discourse on social media. However, despite the frequent discourse around each team’s schedule and schedule release video, there was an expectation that several teams would make jokes about the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal, after the NFL left that up to each team’s discretion, and to the surprise of many, it didn’t appear nearly as much as expected in the schedule release videos.
Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini Drama Was Minimal in Schedule Release Videos
The Chargers are among the teams best known for their use of comedy and playful jabs at opponents in their schedule release videos, and they opted, for the most part, to avoid the topic. Instead, they chose to focus mainly on the public belief that they had an easy schedule in 2025, while only hinting at the Vrabel-Russini scandal.
“The Chargers played scared with the Vrabel-Russini references,” Austin Stanley said on ‘X.’
The Chargers played scared with the Vrabel-Russini references.
— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) May 14, 2026
They did make a hint towards the topic, with some fans noticing the quick shot of a sign reading ‘next photo dump in 1 mile,’ possibly hinting at the numerous photos being released of Vrabel and Russini.
They also had a notification pop-up saying there was a message from the NY Post, potentially further poking fun at the numerous photo dumps. At the end of their video, they also took a subtle dig at the rumored playlist Russini created for Vrabel. However, while they didn’t completely ignore the topic, many expected them to address it much more head-on.
“Boring. No Vrabel Russini roasting,” One user said on ‘X.’
While the hints were there, fans wanted to see them take more direct jabs at the situation.
“Chargers admin let us down . . . No Vrabel or Russini is PATHETIC,” Polymarket reporter Emma Vance wrote on X. “Should’ve went harder smh . . . Thought they’d be more savage . . . So lame.”
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Alex Katson acknowledged that they were “pretty light on the Vrabel/Russini stuff but they got after the Dolphins lmao.”
pretty light on the Vrabel/Russini stuff but they got after the Dolphins lmao https://t.co/Puj9HfVcoH
— alex katson đŸ‡¯đŸ‡µ (@alexkatson) May 14, 2026
The team did make jokes about other teams, such as the aforementioned Dolphins, with cap casualties; the Raiders, with Brady vision, hinting at Spygate; and the Texans, with a nod to C.J. Stroud’s postgame comments to Caleb Williams. Some of the jokes landed with fans, but overall, they were expecting more.
New England and Los Angeles are set to face off in week 12, with the game taking place in Los Angeles. The matchup features a clash between two of the league’s premier quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Justin Herbert, who will be tasked with facing a talented defensive unit. In 2025, the Chargers and Patriots ranked No. 8 and No. 12, respectively, in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric (DEFi).
While the jabs were minimal, the matchup figures to be highly anticipated due to the combination of talent on the field, the prospect of a potential playoff rematch, and the jab.
With the schedule now out, attention shifts to each team’s 2026 season. Meanwhile, Vrabel and the Patriots will hope that the laxness of the jabs during the schedule release will lessen the conversation on the scandal.
