The fallout from The New York Times’ report on former The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini and her scandal involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel continues to be the hottest story in sports.
Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, who won three Super Bowls as Vrabel’s teammate from 2001 to 2004, appeared to like a post that raised unanswered questions about the newspaper’s investigation into Russini and the Patriots head coach.
Ted Johnson’s Social Media Activity Adds to NYT’s Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel Report
The X post, shared by Tony Farmer, host of the “Last Men Standing” podcast, asked followers what they made of Johnson liking his article that outlined “five new questions” raised by the NYT’s report.
Those questions included the identity of the NFL head coach Russini allegedly called to help avoid a texting-while-driving ticket, the nature of her reported role as an “unofficial advisor” to Vrabel during his search for a coaching job, whether that relationship influenced any of her reporting, and why The Athletic is reviewing her involvement in the January 2025 feature piece, “Inside Mike Vrabel’s Year Off.”
Farmer also questioned why The Athletic’s executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, did not have access to all of the Sedona photos before publicly defending Russini after the first images surfaced.
What do you make of Mike Vrabel’s former teammate Ted Johnson “liking” my article saying five new questions have been raised since the NYT article?
Below are the 5 questions:
1.) Who was the NFL head coach Russini called to help get out of the texting-while-driving ticket?… pic.twitter.com/lsPR8RIRjH
— Tony Farmer (@Tonysmarkettips) June 25, 2026
The NYT report noted that The Athletic is reviewing Russini’s involvement in the Vrabel feature, while also reporting that she never disclosed any conflict of interest involving the Patriots head coach to editors. The newspaper added that Russini resigned before the review was completed.
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Farmer has continued to scrutinize the Russini-Vrabel controversy since it first emerged in early April. He believes the relationship between the two may already have been known, citing the Times’ reporting that members of Vrabel’s coaching staff were present with Russini and Vrabel at a casino.
“According to the NYT, Dianna Russini’s friend said members of the Titans coaching staff were present at a casino with Mike Vrabel and Russini,” Farmer wrote on X.
“It’s getting harder to believe execs at ESPN and The Athletic didn’t know about the friendship because it seems like Vrabel and Russini weren’t trying very hard to hide it. These execs won’t answer questions. Is it possible they not only knew, but they encouraged it?”
Vrabel has appeared to carry on as normal following the scandal, while Russini has taken a step back from the spotlight after resigning from The Athletic. She’s currently not working for any outlet, and it’s unclear whether she’ll have any kind of role covering the 2026 season.
PFSN’s Alex Kennedy believes that “as soon as she decides to tell her side of the story, there will be a ton of people ready to listen.” Here’s what PFSN’s other NFL analysts think about what’s next for Russini and her future in the industry.
