Mike Vrabel is entering his second season as coach of the Patriots.
Mike Vrabel is entering his second season as coach of the Patriots.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
There were plenty of eyes on the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of the NFL’s 2026 schedule release on Thursday because of their track record of trolling opponents and sneaking in Easter eggs into their elaborate schedule-unveiling videos.
Sure enough, the Chargers didn’t turn down the opportunity to twist the knife against the Patriots amid the ongoing drama involving New England head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
The Chargers’ Halo-themed video posted on Thursday had multiple digs throughout, with both Vrabel and Russini taking the brunt of Los Angeles’ jabs when the video focused on the Chargers’ Week 12 matchup against New England.
should we REALLY make our schedule release video in halo?
yes yes yesyes
yesyes yes yes yes
yes yes yes yes yes
yes yesyes yes yes
yes yesye yes yes
yes yes yesyes pic.twitter.com/eusK9QmNGd
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 14, 2026
As several Spartan soldiers raced along a Mario-Kart-inspired track, one billboard read: “Next Photo Dump 1 Mile” — referencing the seemingly regular release of photos over the last month that have featured both Vrabel and Russini.
During the race, a notification also popped up on the screen that announced, “NY Post sent you a message” — referring to how the New York Post’s gossip arm, Page Six, was the first to publish photos of Vrabel and Russini together at an adults-only resort in Arizona earlier this year.
The Chargers were the lone team to target Vrabel in their schedule-release video, with several other teams landing shots at opponents and storylines, including the 49ers’ viral “electrical substation” conspiracy, the Ravens’ nixed trade for Maxx Crosby, and much more.
Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy reported that the NFL did not review any team’s videos to remove or vet any controversial content.
There were several other Easter eggs featured in the Chargers’ video regarding the Patriots.
• The mission listed at the start of the race is titled “Conquer the Cupcakes” — likely a dig at the Patriots’ lighter 2025 regular-season schedule that saw them post a 14-3 record en route to an appearance in the Super Bowl.
• The race ends with the Patriots crashing at the Super Bowl, obviously signifying the team’s 29-13 loss to the Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. As the race ends in disaster, three players titled Drake “Drake Maye” Maye, BigWillie66, and FreeTheFeet13 are listed as being eliminated, equating to Drake Maye, Will Campbell, and Mack Hollins.
• Two more players — okurrr_cardi and DaddyDiggs6 — are also listed as having “left the game”, in reference to former Patriots wideout Stefon Diggs and Cardi B.
• The Chargers did pay tribute to a Route 1 icon during the race, as the Orange T-Rex that once looked over Route 1 Mini Golf & Batting Cages in Saugus made an appearance just as the players soared over a ramp.
• The Chargers did acknowledge that the Patriots were the ones to end their season in the wild-card round of the 2025 playoffs. As the players raced past the wild-card checkpoint, a pause screen popped up that read “Nothing to see here” — with the reference code of 16-3 standing as the final score of that Patriots victory at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots and Chargers will battle on Nov. 29 in an anticipated Sunday Night Football showdown at SoFi Stadium.
The Patriots shared two schedule release videos – one with the theme of a roller-coaster ride, another themed around good dogs – on social media.
The goodest schedule release EVER 😍🥹🐶 pic.twitter.com/JqOoyxL5mF
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 15, 2026
Please keep your hands, arms & legs inside the vehicle at all times 🎢
2026 New England Patriots Schedule Release pic.twitter.com/gX8v5OpGFW
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 14, 2026
Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.