As the ongoing drama between New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini continues to unfold, some people are not buying their story at all.
On Wednesday, Page Six published a new report with even more photos of Vrabel and Russini together. Eyewitnesses said Vrabel and Russini dined alone, which lines up with what’s in the photos. This contradicts Russini’s claim that they were joined by a group of friends at the resort in Arizona.
Latest Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini Story Rankles Some NFL Observers
The latest photos involving Vrabel and Russini were published by the New York Post’s Page Six on Wednesday. After the first set of photographs surfaced, Russini told the Post in a statement: “The photos do not represent the group of six people hanging out during the day.”
However, ESPN reported that as part of The Athletic’s investigation into Russini, they requested proof of her girls trip such as photos or text messages, but “Russini never provided sufficient evidence.”
And now that these new photographs once again show Russini and Vrabel alone, people are asking questions (or cracking jokes) about where Russini’s six friends were when she and Vrabel had breakfast.
“All the girls must’ve spent the entire day sleeping after a rigorous hike,” Chat Sports’ VP of Content Strategy and NFL host Chase Senior wrote.
Gerry Callahan, who hosts “The Callahan Show,” posted on X, “All the girls on the girls trip just wanted to sleep in.”
One gambling influencer posted on X, “I just wanna know where are these 6 friends … still haven’t seen them … did they just stay in the room and enjoy room service all week??”
All the girls must’ve spent the entire day sleeping after a rigorous hike https://t.co/Bv3wW2pM13
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) April 22, 2026
One influencer posted on X: “That private investigator was moving like prime Solid Snake.”
Another account referenced Vrabel speaking to a small group of Patriots reporters at a questionable press conference on Tuesday.
“You know, Mike Vrabel wasn’t honest with either New England Patriots players or fans yesterday, so the New York Post has decided to keep this controversy at the top of the news cycle…” the user posted on X.
You know, Mike Vrabel wasn’t honest with either New England Patriots players or fans yesterday, so the New York Post has decided to keep this controversy at the top of the news cycle… https://t.co/5iXBqUThCS
— Jonathan Bowen (@BostonByBirth) April 22, 2026
Curtis Houck, who is managing editor of MRC NewsBusters, posted on X, “Whether it’s a PI for Russini’s husband or Vrabel’s wife, these guys are GOOD. Saving photos to release later is brutal.”
Sean Pendergast, co-host of “Payne and Pendergast” on SportsRadio 610 in Houston, also shared his thoughts on X: “The Post was sitting on more photos. This is far from over. And I am here for it!”
The Post was sitting on more photos. This is far from over. And I am here for it! https://t.co/LFdWZeLwxW
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) April 22, 2026
Glenn Ordway, former sports radio host at WEEI in Boston, wrote and posted on X, “Doesn’t look like @nypost is giving up on this Vrabel/Russini story…This is the 3rd new article they have published since Vrabel addressed the media yesterday in Foxboro.”
Jorge Alonso of BroBible had a few thoughts on the Vrabel/Russini story. Alonso posted on X, “The NY Post took it personally when Russini & Vrabel tried to gaslight them.”
On Tuesday, Vrabel addressed a small group of reporters in a Patriots-organized press conference. When asked about the Russini scandal, Vrabel addressed the situation, stating he had “some difficult conversations” with his family, players, coaches, and others in the organization.
“We believe that in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions,” Vrabel added. “That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. We never want to be the cause of a distraction.”
For the time being, this story is going to continue to loom over New England even as they enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
But now that Vrabel has addressed his team and the media, the story will likely begin to die down between now and when the 2026 NFL season rolls around.
