All eyes are on the New England Patriots and their head coach, Mike Vrabel. Weeks after photos of Vrabel and former New York Times reporter Dianna Russini were shared online, even more tea is being spilled about their reported connection and alleged years-long relationship. In a new interview, a source said the ongoing matter has been a pain point for Vrabel and the Patriots. Continuing, the insider encouraged the team to do what they could to get the Ohio State alum feeling like himself again before the 2026 NFL season kicks off.
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel on how the story went from “laughable” to where it is today:“That's a private and personal matter… I think that was an attempt to protect your family. I would never be dismissive. My family and this football team are the most important thing and… https://t.co/y7tG0xANgM pic.twitter.com/gxIDqkEBFR
While speaking on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Albert Breer shared firsthand knowledge of how the ongoing matter involving Vrabel, Russini, and the Patriots has impacted those involved.
“I can just tell you factually he has not been the same the last two weeks in that building,” Breer said. “The sense I’ve gotten talking to people is that bravado and everything else, I think this has taken a chunk out of that.”
Breer went on to say that, despite the chaos, Vrabel is a “good guy with a good heart,” and urged the Patriots’ leadership team to do what they can to support the former NFL player before the season begins.
“I would say it’s like what you don’t want is that version of Mike Vrabel walking around for the next six weeks until summer. You want to find a way to get the full Mike Vrabel back,” Breer added.
While the regular NFL season won’t begin for another four months, the drama surrounding Vrabel and the Patriots has some concerned.
“Did he lose his edge after everything happened?” Breer continued. “You got to be a little [worried]. The Patriots need to get Mike right. They want the full version of him. If it’s a week, two weeks, the rest of the spring, they just need the full version of him.”
Indeed, the Patriots finished last NFL season as AFC East champs; however, they lost in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks on February 8, 2026.
The renewed interest in Vrabel’s personal life comes weeks after he was spotted getting cozy with NYT reporter Russini at an Arizona Resort, according to The Blast.
The pictures released showed Vrabel and Russini holding hands, hugging, and lounging by the pool. An insider also revealed that the pair spent a night on top of the resort’s roof inside a luxury bungalow that’s priced at $2,100 a night.
Vrabel denied the allegations that he and Russini were involved in an inappropriate relationship, saying, “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Russini also downplayed the photos, saying she was with Vrabel and a group of others. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues,” she said.
Newly surfaced bombshell photos show NFL reporter Dianna Russini kissing married Patriots HC Mike Vrabel at a New York City bar — taken six years before the scandal broke.… https://t.co/zTz0wEoW9t pic.twitter.com/O2xmyr2h6g
The backlash was so intense that Russini resigned from her position as a reporter. In her statement, she addressed the public interest in the matter and noted it was a factor in her decision.
“When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” she said.
Days later, though, new pictures of Vrabel and Russini appearing to kiss at a New York City bar were shared online.
“They were kissing and they were all over each other,” a source said, according to The Blast. “He had a ring on.”
Vrabel addressed the media in late April 2026, revealing he had challenging conversations with people closest to him about the scandal. In another statement, the former Tennessee Titans coach said he would miss part of the 2026 NFL Draft to attend counseling with his family.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them,” Vrabel said. “In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend.”