It seems New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel still has a way to go before he can put his romantic scandal involving Dianna Russini behind him. Just as fans thought most of the cards were on the table, TMZ published footage of the two from 2021 together on a boat day in Tennessee. However, what would it take for Vrabel to actually be fired?
Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini Scandal Has To Be Bigger Before HC Will Suffer Consequences
Throughout NFL history, a head coach has yet to be fired for having an affair. While Vrabel’s scandal with Russini could see the end of his time as Patriots head coach, it’ll take a lot more than puzzle pieces coming together for Vrabel to actually be fired — at least that’s what NFL insider Albert Breer thinks.
Breer appeared on “98.5 The Sports Hub” and stated that the Patriots are standing by their head coach amid the controversy.
“I’d say at this point, it’s definitely not in their plans to move on from Mike Vrabel,” he said. “I think if you look at the actions of the Kraft sports… It’s been [about] a month now since the photos came out. Almost everything has been done in an effort to protect his employment — protect his team’s image.”
“If it’s just continued drips and drabs that continue to fill in the blanks of what we already sort of know, then I think the Patriots just ride it out,” Breer added.
Breer argued that, despite the scandal, the controversy will have to get much worse before it affects Vrabel’s career. His success with the Patriots assured him a strong standing in the organization, as the first coach to take them to the playoffs in four years, a feat the great Bill Belichick failed to achieve in his last two years.
From @toucherandhardy: @AlbertBreer Explains Why The Patriots Are Standing By Mike Vrabel.. For Now #NFL #Patriots pic.twitter.com/0igx4KvFqb
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) May 8, 2026
Under Vrabel’s leadership last season, according to PFSN’s Offense Metric, the Patriots’ offense posted an impact score of 86.6, ranking second in the league. Similarly, their defense, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, posted an impact score of 78.2 and ranked 12th in the league.
“What could be worse… I think it would have to almost be more women coming out, or there being some sort of breach of trust within the organization, where Mike Vrabel was serving his relationship over the team in certain ways,” Breer added. “It would have to go to a different level. This story has very clearly crossed over from the rubicon of sports story into celebrity gossip, and I think as we’re all finding out now, that’s a whole different world.”
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While the scandal has yet to affect Vrabel’s job, it has already sent Russini’s career on a different course. The reporter resigned early on in the controversy after The Athletic demanded that she produce evidence of her innocence in the affair.
Some believe the head coach could be out of Foxborough sooner than expected, while cynics don’t see Vrabel suffering any consequences. Only time will tell.
