New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters Thursday night to acknowledge his role in a controversy that has emerged over photographs of him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The images, first showing the two holding hands at an Arizona resort, prompted scrutiny after both are married and led to Russini’s resignation from The Athletic.
Vrabel said he has had “difficult conversations” with his family and the Patriots organization, accepted responsibility for his actions and announced he will not attend day three of the NFL Draft on Saturday as he steps away for counseling. Additional photos published Thursday by Page Six and TMZ show the pair together in a New York bar in 2020 and at a Mississippi casino in 2024.
“I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that caused a distraction to the people I care most about,” Vrabel said, adding that his behavior fell short of the standard he holds for himself. He said his priorities are his family and the football team, “in that order,” and that his family needs him this weekend.
The Patriots issued a statement backing Vrabel’s choice to prioritize his family and wellbeing and voiced confidence in the coaching staff’s leadership and communication during the pre-draft process. The club said it respects the steps Vrabel is taking to become the “best version” of himself for his family, the team and the fans.
The NFL has confirmed it is not conducting an investigation. Commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN the matter is personal and teams are best placed to handle such situations, noting it does not fall under the league’s personal conduct policy as currently understood.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player with New England and was hired as head coach last offseason, led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first season at the helm. The team reached Super Bowl LX this year, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara.
Vrabel said the process of counseling has already begun and will continue as long as necessary. Meanwhile, the draft resumes: day two airs from midnight Friday and the draft concludes with day three from 5pm Saturday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix (day two) and Sky Sports Action (day three).