New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters before the 2026 NFL Draft, telling them that by downplaying the initial photos that surfaced with Dianna Russini, he was trying to protect his family.
“That’s a private and personal matter,” he said during the Thursday, April 23 press conference. “I think that was an attempt to protect your family and I would never be dismissive. I think my family and this football team are the most important thing…I’m excited about the challenge with both of those things.”
Vrabel announced earlier this week that he would be missing some of the NFL Draft events over the weekend to attend three-day counseling in light of the controversy. He told reporters on Thursday that he could not guarantee that the draft would be the only football event he will miss, but expressed confidence in the Patriots organization to carry on in his absence.
“When you prioritize your family first, then your job, that’s what’s required and that’s what was necessary,” he said.
Vrabel also said he took accountability for his actions, but did not go into specifics. He did not mention Russini, 43, or his wife, Jen Vrabel, by name. Instead, his comments were similar to what he said during his Wednesday, April 22 press conference.
“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. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said on Wednesday. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.”
Vrabel continued, “I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
Vrabel’s decision to seek counseling comes nearly two weeks after Page Six published photos of him and Russini looking cozy at a hotel in Arizona. The outlet reported that the photographs were taken “two weekends” before at the resort. (Vrabel has been married to Jen since 1999.)
After the photos went public, Vrabel and Russini addressed the interaction and downplayed their connection.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel said in his initial statement. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
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Russini told Page Six, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Following their statements, another photo of the pair from 2020 surfaced where they appeared to be packing on the PDA while sitting at a bar. Vrabel and Russini have not publicly addressed the resurfaced photos. However, Russini has since resigned from her position at The Athletic before the outlet concluded its investigation.
“This media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” the sports journalist said in a statement earlier this month. “Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
