The New England Patriots were expected to have a tough time dealing with all the jokes about their head coach, Mike Vrabel, and the drama surrounding him and former The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini.
In their schedule release video for the upcoming season, the Patriots used their players riding a roller coaster to reveal their 2026 slate. To no one’s surprise, the NFL world immediately cracked jokes about the scandal in response to the Patriots’ schedule reveal.
Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini Get Trolled After Patriots Release Schedule
New England is beginning the year with a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. But their schedule isn’t too difficult, though. Last year, their schedule was one of the easiest in the league, and now it ranks 18th-toughest.
The Patriots leaned into the chaos with a metaphor of a rollercoaster, as their schedule release video shows Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and TreVeyon Henderson, among others, riding the ride while their schedule was revealed.
The NFL world reacted to this unique idea.
“I like the metaphor here. The past month has been a real rollercoaster for us fans,” said Patriots social media personality Kyle on X.
I like the metaphor here. The past month has been a real rollercoaster for us fans.
— Kyle (@iiTsFaded_) May 14, 2026
Another Patriots social media personality chimed in with a very similar sentiment, “Season gonna be a rollercoaster huh.”
It’s safe to say that it’s been a wild few weeks for Vrabel, Russini, the entire Patriots organization, and their fans. The Vrabel-Russini scandal has transcended sports and become mainstream news, and new developments seem to surface daily.
There have also been a ton of jokes from opposing fans, and Thursday night was no different.
In response to the Patriots’ caption (“Please keep your hands, arms & legs inside the vehicle at all times 🎢”), a Tennessee Titans social media personality took a shot at Vrabel: “Tell your coach to keep his hands, arms, and legs inside his own home as well, please!”
Tell your coach to keep his hands, arms and legs inside his own home as well please! https://t.co/h5TWB7EdnU
— Titans Traffic Update (@TitansTraffic) May 14, 2026
One Chicago Bears social media personality got in on the fun, too: “Probably what the captain of the boat said to Vrabel and Dianna before they set sea”
Probably what the captain of the boat said to Vrabel and Dianna before they set sea
— Caleb Williams QB1 (@Durantsburner35) May 14, 2026
Vrabel was missing from the video, and the NFL world made note of the omission of their head coach (even though head coaches rarely appear in their team’s schedule release video).
“This is awesome! Where’s Mike Vrabel?” wrote Mike’s Takes on X.
The jokes likely won’t be ending any time soon, especially if more news continues to drop about Vrabel’s alleged relationship with Russini. Until then, the Patriots have to be locked in and focused on bouncing back from their Super Bowl defeat.
