Us Weekly

L.A. Chargers Troll Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini in NFL Schedule Release

By Mike Vulpo Us Weekly

The Los Angeles Chargers aren't afraid to have a little fun - at the expense of New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini.

While revealing their schedule for the 2026-2027 season on Thursday, May 14, the Chargers made headlines for how they chose to announce their upcoming matchup against the Patriots.

When the Week 12 opponent was revealed, the Chargers' Halo-themed video seemed to glitch, and a message appeared in the middle of the screen.

"Nothing to see here," the message read. "Press X to skip this checkpoint."

While it was likely a reference to the Chargers losing to the Patriots in the playoffs last season, it also appeared to be a reminder of how Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, reacted after the New York Postpublished photos of the pair holding hands at an Arizona resort.

When the pictures were first released, the Patriots coach told the publication, "These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable."

Russini added, "The photos don't represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues."

While both Vrabel and Russini - who are married to other partners - have denied any romantic relationship, Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic in April, saying in a statement, "I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career."

As for Vrabel, he briefly stepped away from work to take a weekend trip to Utah in April to attend counseling.

When the Chargers' video continued playing, there was a sign reading, "Next Photo Dump 1 Mile," and an alert from the New York Post in the bottom right-hand corner.

Regardless of the headlines surrounding Vrabel and Russini's relationship, the Patriots organization appears focused on having another winning season.

Quarterback Drake Maye recently called Vrabel "a great human being" and stressed that he doesn't think any off-field controversy involving his coach will be a distraction for the team moving forward.

"He's our head coach," Maye, 23, told the Associated Press on May 6. "I think he's done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I'm just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready. I know he's got the right mindset. … I love playing for him."

The NFL schedule release has become an annual content showdown as teams across the league compete each year to deliver the most creative, culturally relevant and viral reveal.

The Los Angeles Rams leaned into early-2000s nostalgia for this year's schedule release video, recreating the iconic opening credits sequence from Napoleon Dynamite with a football-meets-yearbook twist.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks had Josh Lucas introducing the schedule in the form of a cologne commercial, with other teams having their own signature scents, including "Substation" for the San Francisco 49ers.

Copyright 2026 Us Weekly. All rights reserved

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 1:36 PM.

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