NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is weighing in regarding Mike Vrabel’s off-field issues as the New England Patriots prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Vrabel is at the center of a massive scandal that has consumed NFL fans’ social media feeds in recent days. However, the storylines are growing far more volatile as more details emerge about the head coach’s inappropriate relationship.
MORE: New England Patriots’ Mike Vrabel staying as head coach, vowing to be ‘better version of himself’
The New England head coach faces severe criticism about an alleged relationship with former ESPN and The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. Meanwhile, Thursday’s massive report from Page Six indicates that their alleged relationship may have began as early 2020.
Mike Greenberg asked Roger Goodell about Mike Vrabel ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on ESPN. "This is not a personal conduct policy… It's a personal matter, and we'll leave it at that… I think the teams handle these matters when they're personal matters…" pic.twitter.com/HOscdhTbp6
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 23, 2026
League commissioner Goodell made his stance crystal clear prior to the NFL Draft when speaking with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.
“This is not a personal conduct policy,” Goodell said during an ESPN interview. “It’s a personal matter, and we’ll leave it at that… I think the teams handle these matters when they’re personal matters…”
This sentiment from Goodell certainly aligns with everything the Patriots have said thus far regarding Vrabel. New England issued its own statement Thursday ahead of the draft, which indicates its full support for the former Super Bowl champion.
MORE: Dianna Russini lost entire NFL media credibility after scandalous photos emerge
Vrabel’s indiscretions appear to be growing based on new reports from Page Six over the past few days. The media outlet revealed several major stories involving Russini and Vrabel, including a kiss that the two shared in public back in March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the timeline of Russini and Vrabel’s alleged relationship certainly has fans intrigued as well. Russini got married to her husband several months later in 2020 despite the fact that there’s no evidence of encounters with Vrabel.
The Patriots coach has been married to his wife Jennifer for over two decades. Vrabel and his wife wed back in 1999 and have seemingly been together ever since.
Many social media detectives spotted Russini and Vrabel getting close during interactions over the years during his time coaching the Tennessee Titans and Patriots.