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.
Each year, all 32 teams put their creativity to the test, with the Los Angeles Chargers often leading the way. This year is no exception, as the Chargers turned to the legendary Halo video game franchise looking for inspiration.
And they landed more than a few punches at their opponents and others along the way.
Here’s the full video, followed by our favorite moments:
Kirk Cousins Friend Request
In Week 2, the Chargers face the Las Vegas Raiders, and while Fernando Mendoza is the focal point of this first segment of the video, there is a quick cameo from Kirk Cousins.
Or…KirkCuzzo…via friend request:
In Week 6, the Chargers face their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the focal point of this segment of the video is the “Donna Kelce Modest Home Reno Package,” OF COURSE, there is a reference to ChiefsAholic:
LeBron called out Ty Simpson’s pick
As we have written here in SB NationLeBron James is the GOAT when it comes to telling meaningless little 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” Ty Simpson’s pick:
Then, of course, there’s the fact that this entire segment is a nod to Puka Nacua being caught broadcasting live from the locker room…
Each part 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 overturned trade between the Ravens and Raiders for Maxx Crosby:
This part 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 an interception”
Similarly, the Chargers will face the Jets in Week 11.
A team that did not record a single interception in 2025.
That is the mission referred to in this part of the video:
“Conquer the cupcakes”
This is the one everyone has been waiting for.
In Week 12, the Chargers will face the New England Patriots, and the setup for this part of the video is a mission titled “Conquer the Cupcakes,” a reference to New England’s historically soft schedule last season:
As you may recall, that schedule included a meeting with Los Angeles in the playoffs, and to their credit, the Chargers were self-deprecating there. As the wild boars travel down what almost looks like Rainbow Road from Mario KartThey reach the Wild Card Round.
There’s also an image of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, likely a nod to Will Campbell’s small arms, and yes, a couple 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” is visible and moments later, a notification titled “NY Post sent you a message” appears on the screen.
Account X by Emeka Egbuka
In March, Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka sparked a brief social media firestorm when he appeared to question the existence of CTE in a post on X.
Moments later, the Buccaneers reported on the social media website that the account that sent the message “is not owned or operated by Emeka Egbuka. It is not affiliated in any way with Emeka or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
So, the Chargers made sure to point that out in their video:
“Survive One Practice” and Chonkers
Whether you believe in the theory that the electrical substation next to the San Francisco 49ers practice field is the reason so many players suffered injuries last year or not, that theory appeared in the Chargers’ schedule release video.
So did Chonkers, the enormous sea lion that recently dominated headlines for taking up residence at Pier 39 in San Francisco.
At the end of the video is this screen, including “The Hard Truth,” where the clip of Cam Ward’s brutal assessment of “us asses” plays:
But there is also a QR code with the title “Media Misfire”.
If you scan that QR code, it takes you here:
Honestly, there are so many other references that could have been included here.
Either way, another amazing job from everyone involved.