Apparently given free rein by the NFL to poke fun at the New England Patriots coach and his alleged affair with Dianna Russini, former NFL insider at The Athletic, in their schedule release videos, only the Los Angeles Chargers took advantage. Because of course they did.
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The Chargers have earned their reputation as the NFL’s resident smart alecks, unafraid to mock their opponents in their clever videos. They’ve trolled the Atlanta Falcons for that epic Super Bowl collapse and thrown shade at former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer. They took a (deserved) shot at Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker for his misogynistic commencement speech.
Last year, they roasted Tyrique Stevenson for his ill-fated taunting of the Washington Commanders. And the Chicago Bears weren’t even on the Chargers’ schedule!
So no, the Chargers weren’t about to pass on this layup.
NFL schedule release winners, losers: Seahawks, Joe Burrow set up, not high-profile rookies
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Three references to Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini
As the Patriots were being presented as Los Angeles’ Week 12 opponent, the Halo-themed video seemed to glitch and a message appeared in the middle of the screen.
“Nothing to see here. Press X to skip this checkpoint.”
That was partly a reference to the Chargers’ loss to the Patriots in the AFC wild-card round last season, confirmed by the 16-3 score that appeared below. But it also was mocking Vrabel and Russini’s overheated reactions after the New York Post published photos of the two, both of whom are married to other people, holding hands, hugging and lounging in a pool at an Arizona resort.
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What was it Vrabel told the Post? Oh right.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” he said.
Sure enough, when the Chargers’ video resumed 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.
Preview of harsh reception awaiting Vrabel
As anyone not living under a rock the last six weeks knows, there has been a steady drip, drip, drip of photos, videos and boat safety release forms suggesting the interactions between Vrabel and Russini were far from innocent. Vrabel also acknowledged (sort of) his wrongdoing, pledged to seek counseling and skipped the last day of the NFL draft to spend with his family.
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It’s a soap opera worthy of the Bravo network, and the Chargers reminded Vrabel, and his players, that it’s going to bring them added hostility this season.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
1 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates with this son after defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 inSuper Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004, in Houston, Texas.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
5 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Line Backer Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots standing on the field looking on during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 21-11.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots catches a two yard touchdown in the third quarter against cornerback Lito Sheppard #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
New England Patriots line backer Mike Vrabel celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX 06 February 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The Patriots are leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Tony Fisher #40 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against Mike Vrabel #50 the New England Patriots during the second quarter on October 13, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 28-10.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots celebrates with Stefon Diggs #8 after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on August 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minnesota.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye #10 prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Former player Mike Vrabel speaks during a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on September 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Vrabel would be wise to pack ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones for New England’s trips to Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City and New York. He’s sure to be heckled and jeered there, and no doubt there will be a sign or 12 mentioning his cozy relationship with The Athletic’s former NFL insider.
(Not in Los Angeles, ironically. The fan base at SoFi Stadium isn’t nearly as spirited, or creative, as the Chargers’ content creators.)
It’s not the crime, it’s the cover up
Had Vrabel owned up to his failings right away, had he not tried to talk through the obvious, this wouldn’t be an issue. OK, maybe he still would have made the Chargers video because they’re the Chargers. Everything is fair game with them.
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But Vrabel made his situation exponentially worse by lying about it. By gaslighting anyone who thought his relationship with Russini seemed fishy, he all but dared people to go find confirmation of it. Which, of course, they did. Now Vrabel has to pay the very public price for his hubris.
Every year the Chargers’ schedule video serves as a quasi-roast of their opponents, if not the whole NFL. No one is spared, least of all bad-behaving head coaches.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini targeted in Chargers schedule release video – of course
