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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers are known to always risk it all during their schedule release videos, and the 2026 season was no exception. Especially considering there is a major scandal surrounding New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
The team released a Halo-themed video where their Week 12 game looked as if they were driving down Rainbow Road from Mario Kart. And with that, they didn’t directly mention the scandal, but did have signs and such alluding to it.
Specifically, there’s a billboard next to the road that reads, “Next Photo Dump 1 Mile.” And lastly, a message pops up on the screen saying that the New York Post sent a message, referring to the outlet (Page Six) where the initial photos were shared that started this whole thing.
The Los Angeles Chargers Were Expected To Reference The Scandal
Out of all the teams, the Chargers were known to be the most likely to reference the scandal.
When speaking with Front Office Sports, a source said just that.
“The Chargers are masters at it. They don’t only take shots at teams; they take shots at individuals as well,” the source told the outlet.
However, another source added that there was a certain line that was expected not to be crossed as there are relationships among the different NFL teams, coaches, and front office executives.
“Teams have to answer to one another. Coaches have to answer one another,” a source stated when speaking with the outlet. “People may have relationships with Vrabel, (Pats owner) Bob Kraft or (Pats executive vice president) Eliot Wolf. If you go there, people inside your own building mary take issue with you. And if you dish it out, you better be able to take it.”
Patriots Full 2026 Schedule
PRESEASON
- Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts — 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 13
- Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles — 7 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 22
- Week 3: at Cleveland Browns — 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 27
REGULAR SEASON
- Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks — 8:20 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 9
- Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 20
- Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 27
- Week 4: at Buffalo Bills — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 4
- Week 5: vs. Las Vegas Raiders — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 11
- Week 6: vs. New York Jets — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 18
- Week 7: at Chicago Bears — 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 22
- Week 8: at Miami Dolphins — 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 1
- Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers — 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 8
- Week 10: at Detroit Lions — 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 15 (Munich)
- Week 11: BYE
- Week 12: at Los Angeles Chargers — 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 29
- Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills — 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 6
- Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings — 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 10
- Week 15: at Kansas City Chiefs — 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 21
- Week 16: at New York Jets — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 27
- Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos — TBD
- Week 18: vs. Miami Dolphins — TBD
Sophie Weller Sophie Weller is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com. She also works for Patriots Wire, and previously spent time with A to Z Sports and MassLive. She is based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and loves all things football! More about Sophie Weller