Patriots' Drake Maye Supports Coach Mike Vrabel Amid Scandal

Photos of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini Looking Cozy Emerge

Football fans were calling for a penalty when photos emerged April 7, 2026, of New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and The Athletic's senior NFL reporter Dianna Russini interlocking hands and hugging at an Arizona resort. 

But Vrabel (married to college sweetheart Jen Vrabel since 1999) and Russini (who wed Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020) both challenged the call on the field. 

"The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day," she explained in a statement to E! News. "Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues." 

And there was no news to report from this outing, claimed Vrabel. "These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," he told Page Six in a statement. "This doesn’t deserve any further response." 

Dianna Russini Resigns from Her Job at The Athletic

The play continued to unfold, however. Initially, The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg did some blocking for his employee. "These photos are misleading and lack essential context," he said in a statement to E! News April 7. "These were public interactions in front of many people."

However, as the New York Times-owned sports publication began to review the play, additional concerns were raised. A source familiar with the situation at The Athletic noted April 13 that both Russini and her past coverage were being investigated. 

A day later, the veteran journalist left the proverbial locker room, resigning from her role. 

"I stand behind every story I have ever published," she said in an April 14 letter to Ginsberg, obtained by The Associated Press. "Unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts."

Calling out the escalating media frenzy, the mom of two continued, "I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept." Though she would be leaving before her contract expired 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."

NFL Spokesperson Announces Mike Vrabel's Conduct Is Not Under Review

Vrabel, however, would not be hanging up his headset. 

NFL chief spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN in an April 17 article that the organization is not reviewing Vrabel's behavior as part of its personal conduct policy, which requires coaches to avoid "conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League."

A spokesman for the Patriots did not respond to the network's question about whether it would review Vrabel's relationship with Russini.

Mike Vrabel Reveals He's Had "Difficult Conversations With People That I Care About"

Huddling up with reporters at an April 21 press conference, the former NFL linebacker acknowledged he'd "had some difficult conversations with people that I care about."

His chats with his family, the coaches on his staff and his players "have been positive and productive," the father of two continued. "We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me."

Though he would not be sharing the Xs and Os of those particular conversations, Vrabel said, "What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans, most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward. That's what I know, and I'm excited to do that."

Mike Vrabel Announces He's Seeking Counseling, Skipping NFL Draft

On the eve of the NFL draft, Vrabel announced he had something more pressing to tackle. 

"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," the coach said in a statement obtained by ESPN April 22. "In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend." 

That meant he'd be taking a bye on the three-day draft that kicked off April 23. "This is something I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them," he continued of the tough choice. "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." 

The Patriots Break Their Silence on Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini Controversy

Though the Robert Kraft-owned Patriots initially took a pass on speaking out about the situation, they spoke out in support of Vrabel's game plan April 23.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini Pictured Kissing in Photos From Years Earlier

New pictures published by Page Six April 23 seemed to indicate Vrabel and Russini's relationship kicked off long before initially thought.  

In the set of photos—taken at New York City's Tribeca Tavern on March 11, 2020—the pair are huddled up at the bar, with Vrabel resting his hand on Russini's arm and leg. In a third, he leans in for a kiss. 

The two also appeared to be playing their cards right in photos obtained by TMZ Sports. Weeks after Vrabel was let go by the Tennessee Titans, he and Russini were spotted at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Miss. on Jan. 30, 2024. 

E! News has reached out to reps for Russini and Vrabel for comment and has not heard back.