The NFL schedule release day feels like a massive event for football enthusiasts, akin to a holiday. There’s an excitement in anticipating which opponents their team will face in the upcoming season. This year had its highs and lows, with some teams sparking disappointment on the field—frustrating, right? But, let’s see how the day played out with a look at the winners and losers.
winner
Los Angeles Rams
I initially thought their presentation might be lacking. The ASMR-themed food clips didn’t catch my interest right away, but they surprised me in a good way.
49ers GM John Lynch questions Rams’ choice of QB Simpson at No. 2, 13 picks later
From their jabs at the Washington Commanders for rebranding, to a wild theory about electromagnetic issues at the 49ers’ practice site, to poking fun at Philadelphia’s mayor for his handling of the Eagles’ name, it was a delightful mix. A clever nod to “Napoleon Dynamite” at the end was a cherry on top.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons put together a playful video reminiscent of classic sports commercials to unveil their season schedule. Matt Ryan, the new president of football operations and a team legend, hilariously reenacted his well-known “GET F****** SET!” moment in an office. Featuring main players like Bijan Robinson and Drake London, they even joked about pronouncing Bijan’s name right, and cracked a bit about a Kendrick vs. Drake rap feud. It was fun to see the comedy troupe, St. Andre Golf, involved too.
Getting big names to join in on something like this isn’t always easy, but Atlanta nailed it.
Las Vegas Raiders
On the subject of big-name hires, Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, fresh off his release from Atlanta, teamed up with the 2026 draft’s No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, in a playful take on “Step Brothers.” They humorously recreated a classic scene from the film, with Mendoza asking to be called “The Mendolorian,” referencing a certain Star Wars series. Cousins’ over-the-top acting brought some laughs, especially with his tucked-in shirt. Those little moments really resonated.
Fans are hoping the actual game performances will match the fun of the video—if they’re even close, this season could be something special.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Rams honored the Chargers with a “Best Schedule Release Video” accolade, and honestly, I agree wholeheartedly. I loved the kid-at-heart creativity in their Halo-themed release, filled with Easter eggs to entertain everyone.
There was even a moment where a character launched a sticky bomb at someone representing the Broncos, hinting at last season’s injuries. They also teased about Texans QB CJ Stroud chatting with Bears QB Caleb Williams during a showdown. Clever references about various viral moments made the video a hit, racking up over 16 million views in just over 20 hours.
Grade: A+ for the Chargers.
loser
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals opted for a Zoom call featuring what looked like AI renditions of their opponents’ mascots. It was cringe-worthy. The video was a sound disaster, muffled and resembling a poorly recorded voice memo. This one’s probably the worst release I’ve seen—totally forgettable.
New York Jets
While the Jets weren’t as abysmal as Aaron Rodgers’ injury in his first game, they certainly didn’t shine either. Their schedule release involved an artistic theme that was, well, a bit snooze-worthy. A video of paint mixing to represent opponents’ colors doesn’t exactly scream excitement, right? Two and a half minutes felt excessive for such a concept.
The end result was a silent presentation that resonated “boring” to me.
It’s not surprising that two struggling teams would deliver releases like these.
In the grand scheme, the league’s social media seems to be getting it right, though. It’s a blast to spend time combing through each team’s takes, reveling in some cheeky digs throughout. Personally, I’m feeling hyped up for the season ahead. How about you?
