Chargers include Zach Wilson ‘cougar’ jab in viral NFL schedule release video

The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t forgotten about Zach Wilson’s eventful summer.

The team outdid themselves once again Thursday by posting an anime-style video as part of the 2023 NFL schedule release.

Much like last year, the Chargers filled the clip with easter eggs highlighting off-field controversies engulfing their opponents — including wild dating rumors surrounding the Jets quarterback, who was accused of sleeping with his mom’s best friend.

As the Chargers spotlighted their Week 9 “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Jets, a “Single Cougars in Your Area!” graphic can be seen, along with an animation of a woman wearing a Jets jersey with Wilson’s No. 2.

Wilson’s offseason took an unexpected turn last July when his ex-girlfriend, Abbey Gile, was linked to Washington Commanders wide receiver Dax Milne, who happens to be the quarterback’s former BYU teammate.

When a social media user called Gile a “homie hopper,” an Instagram account with her name in the handle responded, “He was sleeping with his moms best friend … that’s the real homie hopper.”

Wilson, the Jets’ second overall pick in 2021, appeared to poke fun at the accusations a short time later, posting on Instagram, “Took the boys to @gozzerranchclub in Idaho before camp! Poor cell service…what I miss?”

The 23-year-old quarterback was last linked to social media influencer Nicolette Dellanno, who joined him at a Yankees game in June 2022.

Wilson is now gearing up for his third season with the Jets and his first backing up former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was traded to the team in April in a franchise-altering move.

Just like Wilson, the Chargers also appeared to mock Rodgers in their video with the “Out of GB, up in age” graphic.

The “up in age” line was an apparent reference to Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, who used a similar phrase last month when discussing the Rodgers trade.

“Aaron is obviously up there in age. I think he’s got some really good football left in him. As we got through the offseason, this made sense…,” Gutekunst said, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Rodgers turns 40 in December.

The Rodgers image in the Chargers’ video also referred to a viral screenshot of Sam Darnold from ESPN, which said “Out indefinitely, mononucleosis” when Darnold caught mono and was forced to miss several games in 2019.