Will any NFL schedule-release videos include Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini jokes?

Credit: Inside the NBA

Like so many other things in the world of the NFL, the annual announcement of the upcoming season schedule has become an event unto itself.

The cornerstone of that day is the team schedule-release videos that accompany the news. Like Super Bowl commercials, they tend to be big, brash, star-studded, and high-quality endeavors. And in some cases, they’re full of cheeky references and digs at the expense of upcoming opponents.

Given all of the drama and controversy surrounding Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and his relationship with former The Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini, there’s been a lot of speculation that some of New England’s opponents might decide to poke some fun in their announcements when the 2026 schedule is announced Thursday.

In fact, the Los Angeles Chargers, who have built a reputation as the most willing team in the league to take shots at everyone and everything in their annual schedule release video, have been rumored to be planning to do so.

While the NFL’s policy is not to review team video announcements in advance, the league has been known to put out a word that it would not be pleased with certain outcomes. So there is a thought that teams might avoid mentioning the touchy subject at the expense of an expected and obvious bit.