Patriots coach breaks silence as past incident sparks fresh attention
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has publicly addressed his “actions” after newly resurfaced photos from 2020 involving former NFL reporter Dianna Russini began circulating again.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, Vrabel said he takes responsibility for the impact of his behaviour on those closest to him, including his family and the organization he now leads.
“I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about,” Vrabel said. “My family, this football team, the organization and the fans.”
Vrabel says he will attend counselling and prioritize family
Vrabel also confirmed he would miss part of draft weekend to attend counselling, describing the decision as a personal and family-focused step.
“My priorities are my family and this football,” he said. “My family needs me this weekend and that’s where I’ll be.”
He declined to share details about the counselling process, calling it a private matter, and said he could not confirm whether he would miss additional team activities in the coming weeks.
Resurfaced photos from 2020 draw renewed scrutiny
The comments come shortly after photos published by Page Six reportedly showed Vrabel and Russini together in March 2020 at a New York City bar.
In the images, the pair appear to be kissing, while another photo shows Vrabel with his hand on Russini’s thigh. Additional reporting also referenced earlier images of the two interacting at a resort poolside setting.
Both Vrabel and Russini have previously pushed back on interpretations of the images, describing the situation as misrepresented.
Dianna Russini steps away from The Athletic
Russini, 43, resigned from her role at The Athletic earlier this month following the renewed attention surrounding the photos.
In her resignation statement, she defended her reporting career and criticized the public reaction to the situation, saying the “media frenzy” had escalated beyond the facts of the case.
She said she chose to step away not because she accepted the narrative being discussed, but because she no longer wanted the situation to impact her career further.
Fallout continues as NFL focus shifts to draft
Vrabel’s comments come as the Patriots prepare for the NFL Draft, with the controversy adding an unexpected off-field storyline to the organization’s offseason.
While Vrabel has framed his response around accountability and family, the resurfaced images continue to circulate widely across social media and sports discussion platforms.
