The Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel story had quieted over the past few weeks as The Athletic’s internal investigation continued behind closed doors. However, The New York Times published a new article about the former NFL reporter, reigniting the conversation about her.
The article, written by Katherine Rosman and Ken Belson, described Russini’s failed attempt to tell a reporter that her comments were off the record. It drew a sharp rebuke from one of the country’s most respected media critics, as Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones wasted little time dissecting the misstep.
Tom Jones Calls Out Dianna Russini’s Off-the-Record Request
In early May, after The New York Times began reporting the story, Russini responded to a reporter’s interview request via text message.
Rosman and Belson wrote, “She [Russini] cited the “intense scrutiny and personal attacks” she had faced, saying, “This has had a significant impact on my life, both professionally and personally.” At the end of the message, referring to herself as a “former journalist,” Ms. Russini asked the reporter not to quote from the text.”
The problem, as Jones pointed out, is that Russini never established off-the-record terms before she responded.
“For starters, the subject of a story cannot ask for something to be off the record after the fact. That’s what happened here,” Jones wrote. “Russini sent a text to the Times and then asked not to be quoted. In that situation, the reporter had no obligation to honor that request. That’s not how journalism works, and Russini knows that.”
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Jones characterized the move as an attempt to go over the reporters’ heads, a tactic any experienced journalist would recognize as unlikely to succeed in a newsroom with The New York Times’ editorial standards.
“It’s OK for Russini to ask not to be quoted, but she can’t reasonably expect that request to be honored,” he continued. “In addition, her attempts to go over the heads of the reporters by contacting top executives at the Times and The Athletic were unsuccessful, and she should not have been surprised by that.”
Jones further added, “To be clear, the only time something is considered off the record is when the journalist and the person they are talking to agree that what is being said is off the record before it is said.”
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The New York Times’ article revealed several other details that painted an unflattering picture of Russini’s conduct during her time at The Athletic. Months before the Vrabel photos surfaced, she recounted on a podcast how she FaceTimed an NFL head coach to help her avoid a texting-while-driving ticket.
A Times Company spokeswoman described the incident as “unacceptable conduct” and noted that Athletic editors had been unaware of the podcast appearance, which Russini made without the required company approval.
The article also detailed how Russini served as an unofficial advisor to Vrabel during his head coaching search, raising further questions about the boundaries between her reporting and her personal relationships with sources.
Given how the situation continues to unfold, a return to a top-tier NFL insider role appears increasingly unlikely for Russini.
As for Vrabel, the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year remains firmly positioned as the New England Patriots’ head coach. His focus heading into the 2026 season is on building off a remarkable first year that saw the team go from 4-13 to a Super Bowl appearance.
