NFL Schedule Release content will send signal on how Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal may be handled within the league

The annual event of the NFL Schedule Release has given the green light to the NFL’s most creative social media brains across all 32 teams. Will a team on the Patriots’ schedule make a reference to Vrabel-Russini?

Austin Stanley — Co-Founder, Host, Content Creator
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When the NFL Schedule Release hits everyone’s inbox and timelines on Thursday night it will have been 37 days since the initial Page Six report of New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and (now former) NFL Insider Dianna Russini dropped.

Ever since April 7, this story’s legs have continued to grow, and run, and expand beyond just sports media. In fact, some feel like the mainstream sports media have decided to skip its existence all together.

From NFL Draft night to schedule release day, the public has been a spectator of a battle royal between tabloids TMZ and Page Six. However, the networks and outlets most NFL fans are used to consuming haven’t been covering much, or any, of the football side of this story. And there are plenty of football discussions to be had about the ethics of a head coach and a reporter relationship.

Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini scandal timeline

The New England Patriots head coach and former NFL Insider from The Athletic have been the center of a slow leak of events from the past.

Former NFL defensive lineman calls out ESPN’s lack of Vrabel-Russini coverage

Brieden Fehoko is not wrong. In 2010 ESPN’s website covered Rex Ryan’s… foot news… with multiple headlines and bylines. Tiger Woods incidents, recently and in the past, have been relevant topics on ESPN shows, SportsCenter, and digital content for well over decade.

SportsCenter even saw its anchors mock the Coldplay concert cheating couple from last summer.

Saturday Night Live goes without a Vrabel-Russini skit May 9

It doesn’t stop at ESPN.

SNL has had three live shows since the initial Sedona, Arizona photos were released on April 7. Not once have they addressed the NFL’s most popular scandal in any of their skits.

Saturday Night Live is broadcasted on NBC, one of the largest broadcast partners of the NFL and the network that aired this past Super Bowl featuring Mike Vrabel’s Patriots. NBC’s deal, which runs through the 2033 NFL season, pays the league $2 billion per year.

We all know to not bite the hand that feeds you.

What do NFL teams do with their schedule release content this year?

Over the last several years NFL teams get to have their most creative minds put together their top ideas for how to release the upcoming season’s schedule to fans (because a graphic isn’t good enough). These quickly became a ‘who can go most viral’ contest.

The Los Angeles Chargers have been a fan/media favorite with their approach and attention to detail by mocking opponents fans, players, and storylines.

Last summer FOX Sports ranked its “Top 10 Schedule Release Videos of All-Time” where the Chargers have the top spot (2022), fourth place (2024), and an honorable mention (2023).

Yes, the Chargers to play against the Patriots this season. In their 2022 schedule release there was a reference to fired Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer in a pink sweater, in a bar, from a viral scandal in the previous season.

If NFL teams do not make any type of reference to the Vrabel-Russini scandal, does that tell us there’s been some type of internal messaging to stay away from it? There are so many references that can be made loudly and subtly.

It’s 100% worth monitoring. We already know Pats’ owner Robert Kraft attempted to stop Page Six from the initial photos from being released. Does the NFL continue its number one goal of protecting its 32 owners at all costs?