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Chargers Mock Patriots Coach; NFL Declines to Sanction Video

5/16/2026

Summary

Chargers Mock Vrabel

The Los Angeles Chargers released a video on May 14, 2026 that mocked Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini.
The video showed a “Next Photo Dump 1 Mile” sign and a “NYPost sent you a message” screen, referencing the scandal.
The NFL said it will not sanction schedule-release videos, allowing teams to joke freely.
Coach Vrabel told on April 21, 2026 that he had “difficult conversations” with family and would seek counseling.

Summary

NFL Releases Schedule

The NFL released the 2026 schedule at 8 p.m. EST on May 14, 2026.
Games include a Seattle-Los Angeles NFC Championship rematch on Christmas Day, a Houston-Philadelphia game on Christmas Eve, and Buffalo-Denver and Green Bay-Chicago contests on Christmas Day.
The schedule lists unspecified international venues while Vikings’ video added a “Russini Juice” ingredient and announced their Week 14 clash with New England.
Barstool president Dave Portnoy warned he will sue any team that jokes about the Vrabel-Russini scandal.

History

Historical Context

Deflategate began with the Patriots’ alleged ball-deflation in the Jan 18 2015 AFC Championship, prompting the NFL on May 11 2015 to suspend Tom Brady four games, fine New England $1 million and strip two draft picks. The controversy’s legal battles and media backlash later led the league to drop disciplinary rules for satire, allowing the Chargers’ May 2026 video mocking coach Mike Vrabel without sanction.

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Chargers Mock Vrabel

The Los Angeles Chargers released a video on May 14, 2026 that mocked Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini.
The video showed a “Next Photo Dump 1 Mile” sign and a “NYPost sent you a message” screen, referencing the scandal.
The NFL said it will not sanction schedule-release videos, allowing teams to joke freely.
Coach Vrabel told on April 21, 2026 that he had “difficult conversations” with family and would seek counseling.

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