The Los Angeles Chargers released their 2026 schedule video, featuring jabs at New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. The NFL's full schedule includes a Week 12 game between the Chargers and Patriots.
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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Chargers Take Jabs At Mike Vrabel, Patriots In Schedule Release Video originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL disclosed the full 2026 regular season schedule on Thursday night. A tougher slate for the New England Patriots includes a Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers have traditionally produced elaborate schedule-reveal videos, so fans across social media wondered if they would troll Mike Vrabel. They indeed took a subtle dig at his off-field circumstances.
During the Week 12 reveal, in a video styled to resemble the Halo video game series, a notification appeared in the bottom right corner. It read, "NY Post sent you a message."
Another sign in the background stated, "Next photo dump, 1 mile."
The New York Post first leaked photos of Vrabel with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an resort during this year's annual meetings. Russini has since resigned from The Athletic, but 's head coach.
The Chargers made a subtle dig at Mike Vrabel's off-field circumstances during their schedule release video.
The Chargers are scheduled to face the Patriots in Week 12 of the 2026 NFL season.
The schedule release video is notable for its elaborate production and the Chargers' tradition of incorporating humor, particularly targeting other teams and coaches.
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Earlier on Thursday, Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported that the NFL wouldn't review any teams' videos before the schedule reveal. McCarthy correctly identified the Chargers as "likely to weigh in" on the Vrabel situation.
"The Chargers are masters at it," a source told McCarthy of the schedule release videos. "They don’t only take shots at teams; they take shots at individuals as well."
Alas, the Chargers also took shots at the Patriots.
A message reading "Conquer the cupcakes" appeared as the Chargers revealed the Patriots as their Week 12 opponents. New England's favorable strength of schedule was a recurring talking point throughout a 14-3 season and AFC title run.
The path to the Super Bowl included a Wild Card Round victory over the Chargers, who referenced the loss with an error page saying, "Nothing to see here. Press X to skip this checkpoint. Ref. code 16-3."
Vrabel and the Patriots can let their play do the talking when they play the Chargers on "Sunday Night Football" on Nov. 29.