One of the biggest stories of the offseason has been the several photos that have emerged of New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL reporter Dianna Russini together.
This multi-week story affected the Patriots’ NFL Draft process because Vrabel wasn’t with the team on Day 3 of the three-day event after he sought counseling. Now, though, it appears he’s back in the office.
Mike Vrabel Returns to Patriots After Counseling Absence as Timeline of Russini Saga Unfolds
To recap what’s been going on as briefly as possible, earlier this month, photos of Vrabel and Russini at Ambiente, an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Arizona, surfaced on “Page Six,” sparking speculation about an alleged affair between the two as both are married to other people. There were photos of the two interlocking fingers and hugging.
Initial comments by both parties were denials, including the Patriots’ head coach saying that the photos showed a “completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” when asked by the “New York Post.”
From there, “The Athletic” issued a statement supporting Russini but eventually announced it would investigate.
During the investigation, Russini resigned from her position and issued a statement that said that “various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” among other things. The statement was posted on X, but she later deleted her account.
On April 21, Vrabel held a press conference in which he said he took accountability for his actions and that his previous actions didn’t meet the standards he held himself to.
On April 23, the first day of the draft, ESPN published a story by Mike Reiss saying Vrabel would seek counseling and wouldn’t be there for the third day of the draft. It was initially reported that the team would be in contact with Vrabel.
Later that same day, additional photos emerged of Vrabel and Russini at a nightclub/bar in 2020, further fueling speculation. The photos appeared to show the two kissing, according to a report shared by the “New York Post.”
Dianna Russini and married Mike Vrabel caught kissing at NYC bar in bombshell new photos — taken 6 years before scandal https://t.co/WIPOoGKAWF pic.twitter.com/4j1UpviNuy
— New York Post (@nypost) April 23, 2026
Then, on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, at 6:25 p.m. ET, which was just before the conclusion of the draft, ESPN’s Peter Schrager said that it was his “understanding” that the team “chose not to interrupt him” during Day 3.
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Mike Florio of “Pro Football Talk” called the “latest chapter” in this saga a “clumsy, awkward PR disaster.”
This situation has completely spiraled out of control, but now, after several weeks of drama, Vrabel is back in the building, per Phil Perry of “NBCS Boston.”
“My understanding is Mike Vrabel is back in the office today. Missed Day 3 of the draft. Spoke about prioritizing family, while also recognizing his responsibilities to the team, last week,” Perry posted on X.
My understanding is Mike Vrabel is back in the office today. Missed Day 3 of the draft. Spoke about prioritizing family, while also recognizing his responsibilities to the team, last week.
“My priorities are my family and this football team,” he said Thursday. “In that order.”
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 27, 2026
The Patriots are coming off a 2025-26 season in which they were the AFC representative in Super Bowl 60, posting an 86.6 score, according to the PFSN Offense Impact Metrics.
We’ll see what happens next in this story, as it’s hard to believe it’ll die down any time soon.
