The 2026 NFL regular season schedule is finally here.
And some have called this day the Super Bowl for the various social media departments within each organization.
Every year the 32 teams put their creative juices to the test, with the Los Angeles Chargers often leading the way. This year is no exception, as the Chargers drew upon the legendary Halo video game franchise for inspiration.
And threw more than a few punches at their opponents, and others, along the way.
Here is the full video, followed by our favorite moments:
Kirk Cousins’ friend request
In Week 2 the Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders, and while Fernando Mendoza is the focal point for this early segment in the video, there is a quick cameo from Kirk Cousins.
Or … KirkCuzzo … via a friend request:
ChiefsAholic, redux
In Week 6 the Chargers take on their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the focal point for this segment of the video is the “Donna Kelce Modest Home Reno Bundle,” there is OF COURSE a ChiefsAholic reference:
LeBron called the Ty Simpson pick
As we have written here at SB Nation, LeBron James is the GOAT when it comes to telling small, meaningless lies.
So in the segment covering the Chargers’ Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams, there is a comment from James, where he “called” the Ty Simpson pick:
Then of course there is the fact this entire segment is a nod to Puka Nacua getting caught live streaming from the locker room …
“Pass the Physical”
Each portion of the video has a title, much like a mission in Halo, and that includes the Chargers’ Week 10 meeting with the Baltimore Ravens.
Which is titled “Pass the Physical,” a nod to the voided trade between the Ravens and the Raiders for Maxx Crosby:
This portion of the video also includes a reference to the missed field goal that kept the Ravens out of the playoffs, and a message from the Chargers to “take care of Jesse for us <3,” highlighting new Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter, who was the defensive coordinator in Los Angeles.
“Record One Interception”
In a similar vein, the Chargers will take on the Jets in Week 11.
A team that did not record a single interception in 2025.
That is the mission referenced in this portion of the video:
“Conquer the Cupcakes”
This is the one everyone was waiting for.
In Week 12 the Chargers will take on the New England Patriots, and the setup for this portion of the video is a mission titled “Conquer the Cupcakes,” a reference to New England’s historically soft schedule last season:
As you might recall, that schedule did include a meeting with Los Angeles in the playoffs, and to their credit the Chargers engaged in some self-deprecation there. As the warthogs travel along what almost looks like Rainbow Road from Mario Kart, they reach the Wildcard Round.
When this appears:
There is also an image of a Tyrannosaurus Rex — likely a nod to Will Campbell’s small arms — and yes, a pair of nods to the ongoing story involving Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL insider Dianna Russini. First, there is a “[N]ext photo dump 1 mile” sign visible and then moments later, notification titled “NY Post sent you a message” pops up on the screen.
Emeka Egbuka’s X account
In March, Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka touched off a brief firestorm on social media when he seemed to question the existence of CTE in a post on X.
Moments later, the Buccaneers relayed on the social media website that the account that sent the message “is neither owned nor operated by Emeka Egbuka. It is in no way affiliated with Emeka or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
So, the Chargers made sure to note that in their video:
“Survive One Practice” and Chonkers
Whether you believe in the theory that the electric substation next to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice field is the reason so many players suffered injuries last year, or not, that theory made it into the Chargers’ schedule release video.
So too did Chonkers, the massive Sea Lion that recently dominated the headlines for setting up shop at Pier 39 in San Francisco.
Media Misfire
At the very end of the video there is this screen, which includes “The Hard Truth” — where the clip of Cam Ward’s brutal “we ass” assessment plays:
But there is also a QR Code with the caption “Media Misfire.”
If you scan that QR Code, it takes you here:
Honestly, there are countless other references that could have been included here.
Either way, another incredible bit of work from everyone involved.
