Former NFL insider Dianna Russini has been the talk of the offseason after her alleged relationship with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was revealed in April when the pair were photographed at an Arizona resort.
Three months later, the fallout from the scandal continues even after Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic. Now, a candidate has emerged as a potential replacement for Russini.
Ex-ESPN Insider Hyped Up As Potential Replacement for Dianna Russini at The Athletic
On Tuesday, ESPN laid off several respected personalities, including Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, Charles Davis, David Lloyd, Stephania Bell, Karl Ravech, and Tom Pelissero, who has earned a reputation as a top NFL insider.
It didn’t long for the NFL world to link Pelissero to the vacant spot at The Athletic. Pelissero was let go because ESPN is moving forward with Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport as its lead NFL insiders after the acquisition of NFL Network.
“Made zero sense for ESPN to have 3 insiders, and @TomPelissero was the low man on the totem pole between Adam Schefter and Rap. I’d imagine Tom will be among the top candidates to replace Russini for The Athletic insider job,” one Minnesota Vikings influencer wrote.
Made zero sense for ESPN to have 3 insiders, and @TomPelissero was the low man on the totem pole between Adam Schefter and Rap.
I’d imagine Tom will be among the top candidates to replace Russini for The Athletic insider job. https://t.co/rOMMp8HfI2
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 21, 2026
Writer Jason Shetler predicted that The Athletic will hire Pelissero to replace Russini as the outlet’s NFL insider.
“Probably stating the obvious, but would I highly expect The Athletic to hire Tom Pelissero as a senior NFL insider, after Dianna Russini resigned in April,” Shetler posted.
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“Pelissero is excellent at what he does. This has to be a case of too many insiders post-merger with Schefter, Rapp & him, and zero to do with his job performance. While I like all of them, he’s actually my favorite among the three. He won’t be out of work long. The Athletic would be smart to snap him up. He is miles better than Russini ever was,” one user added.
NFL podcaster Nick Cattles predicted that Pelissero would not stay jobless for too long.
“Pelissero replacing Russini, while doing some Netflix work, would make a TON of sense. I’d expect him to get quickly hired,” Cattles posted.
Pelissero replacing Russini, while doing some Netflix work would make a TON of sense. I’d expect him to get quickly hired. https://t.co/Wq9zvdZ0rI
— Nick Cattles (@NickCRadio) July 21, 2026
NFL analyst John Frascella also linked Pelissero with The Athletic.
“I don’t believe The Athletic has replaced Dianna Russini, yet… … could that be where Tom Pelissero is headed, as NFL Insider?” Frascella wrote.
Joe Schad, the Miami Dolphins beat writer for the Palm Beach Post, also proclaimed that The Athletic should hire the highly regarded Pelissero.
“Yes, would seem obvious and likely that The Athletic would immediately hire Tom Pelissero,” Schad posted.
There’s just one obstacle that could stand in the way of The Athletic hiring Pelissero.
According to Pro Football Talk’s NFL insider Mike Florio, Pelissero had a year left on his contract with NFL Network, so he is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the deal.
“Multiple sources tell PFT that he had a year left on his contract. And while he’ll surely be paid through the expiration of the deal, he’ll essentially be sidelined until the deal expires,” Florio wrote.
This could throw a wrench in The Athletic’s plans or it could just delay a potential move.
