NFL not reviewing Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini situation

Field Level Media
18 Apr 2026, 23:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

An NFL spokesperson told ESPN that the league is not reviewing Mike Vrabel following the publication of photos of the New England Patriots coach with journalist Dianna Russini.

The league's personal conduct policy requires players, coaches and executives to avoid 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.'

The New York Post's Page Six posted photos on April 8 of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1.

Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel said the photos were 'completely innocent' in a response to the Post, while Russini said the pictures lacked context and did not show the other members of the group they were hanging out with.

Neither Vrabel nor Russini provided a comment for the story published by ESPN on Friday.

Russini resigned from her position as a lead NFL reporter at The Athletic on Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

A Patriots spokesman did not respond to a question from ESPN about whether the team is reviewing the situation.

Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots -- the team he played for -- before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.

--Field Level Media

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