The NFL won’t punish teams that poke fun at New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel amid the league’s annual schedule release. Vrabel has been at the center of conversation in recent weeks after photos surfaced of him getting cozy with former NYT reporter Dianna Russini. With that in mind, some may expect teams to highlight the scandal in a witty way tonight, and according to a new report, they’re more than free to do so.
The NFL Will Allow Clubs To Use Their Own Judgement Regarding Mike Vrabel Jokes During Schedule Release
According to several outlets, including Front Office Sports, NFL teams famously poke fun at each other during the league’s annual schedule release day. This year will be no different, and with the attention surrounding Vrabel and Russini, there’s a strong chance that at least one team references the scandal in its video.
Sources close to the league said that if teams decide to mock Vrabel and Russini, they won’t be punished. In fact, NFL officials won’t review the videos in advance or take action afterward. Rather, the league will continue to let individual teams control their media, meaning Vrabel could be in for a long weekend.
The NFL Knows Its Teams Could Reference The Vrabel Scandal During Schedule Release
The insider spoke with FOS about the upcoming schedule release and said that they aren’t too concerned about what could be coming.
“This is the day when teams are licensed to poke fun at each other. The (Vrabel story) has become such a public matter that teams can take the shot. You may get a call from the Patriots. But the league is not going to get involved,” said the source.
“The only time Park Avenue messages the teams is around labor, CBA, or the refs. The moments when they’re trying to negotiate—and they want everyone on message. If the Jets, Bills, or Chargers choose to ridicule Vrabel, that’s an issue between the teams. The league doesn’t need to mediate that,” they added.
Is There An NFL Team That Will Address Vrabel’s Awkward Situationship?
While it’s unclear which, if any, team will poke fun at Vrabel’s awkward situationship with Russini. However, another source told FOS that the Los Angeles Chargers might be the one to take the bait.
According to the outlet, the California-based team has become the standard for schedule release days, garnering attention for its past videos about Urban Meyer, Josh Allen, Travis Kelce, and Harrison Butker.
“The Chargers are masters at it. They don’t only take shots at teams; they take shots at individuals as well,” the source said.
Even then, the insider said other teams’ head coaches could veto the decision if the videos cross a line.
Vrabel Addresses Scandal While Speaking With The Media
The NFL’s decision regarding teams’ social media content follows Vrabel being seen getting cozy with Russini at an Arizona resort.
Over the last few weeks, more details regarding the pair’s reported relationship have come to light, including photos of them at a Tennessee casino and on a boat.
Vrabel addressed the media after weeks of speculation, saying he’s “had some difficult conversations with people I care about,” including his family, coaches, and players.
“In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team, never want to be the cause of distraction,” he added.
His comments stood in contrast to what he said when the photos first leaked. At the time, he called the situation “laughable,” adding, “this doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Patriots Player Shows Support For Vrabel
According to a previous report from The Blast, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye shared his thoughts on the scandal surrounding his coach and offered his full support.
“We’re here for coach,” Maye said. “We love coach — what he does for us, what he’s done for us this past year, you can’t speak into words.”
Maye seemed to address Vrabel’s decision to attend counseling with his family during the 2026 NFL Draft, saysing, “I know he’s doing some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world, but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.”
The NFL Won’t Punish Teams For Mocking Mike Vrabel During Schedule Release first appeared on The Blast