The Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel saga dominated NFL headlines throughout the offseason. It produced a stream of photos, leaked details, and public fallout that overshadowed much of the on-field action around the league
The noise has quieted in recent weeks as training camps approach, but the story is far from closed. The Athletic’s internal investigation into Russini’s journalism remains ongoing, even though Russini resigned from the outlet on April 14, more than two months ago.
How the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel Scandal Unfolded and Where It Stands Now
The controversy began on April 7 when Page Six published photos of Russini and Vrabel holding hands and embracing at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona. Page Six then published additional photos on April 23 that appeared to show the pair kissing at a New York City bar in 2020, six years before the Arizona encounter.
TMZ then surfaced footage and documents from a private boat rental in Putnam County, Tennessee, in June 2021, when Russini was pregnant with her first child. The outlet reported that Vrabel and Russini were the only two people on board during the two- to three-hour trip. Moreover, photos from a casino outing in 2024 also emerged.
After the fallout, Vrabel missed the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 25 to begin counseling. He returned to work days later, but Russini had resigned from The Athletic before the investigation concluded.
Today, on June 18, Front Office Sports’ senior media reporter, Michael McCarthy, provided the latest update on Russini’s situation.
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“Update on The Athletic’s Dianna Russini investigation. Sources say investigation is still ongoing,” McCarthy wrote on X. “And a reminder: The investigation is limited to the former Senior NFL Insider ‘s journalism for The Athletic, not her conduct.”
Update on @TheAthletic‘s Dianna Russini investigation.
Sources say investigation is still ongoing.
And a reminder: The investigation is limited to the former Senior NFL Insider ‘s journalism for The Athletic, not her conduct.
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) June 18, 2026
The distinction McCarthy flagged is significant because the investigation is examining Russini’s work, not her personal life. This means The Athletic might not release details to the public if it found more dirt on its former employee.
As for what comes next, Russini’s path back into NFL media appears unlikely. She has deleted her social media accounts and hasn’t spoken publicly since releasing her resignation letter on April 14.
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Vrabel, by contrast, appears secure in New England after leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl 60 appearance, and the team has now acquired A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Patriots’ players have publicly backed him, and the organization has shown no signs of wavering. The investigation’s conclusion will likely reveal more about The Athletic’s editorial oversight than about the personal details that have already surfaced, and how much the outlet chooses to share publicly will be worth monitoring.
