Mike Vrabel breaks silence on Dianna Russini controversy

For the primary time since photographs had been launched exhibiting New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini spending time collectively at a resort in Sedona, Ariz., in late March, Vrabel spoke with media members throughout a Tuesday information convention. 

As shared by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Vrabel acknowledged that he had a candid dialog with Patriots gamers initially of the staff’s offseason program on Monday. 

What Mike Vrabel did, did not say about Dianna Russini controversy

“I’ve had some tough conversations with those who I care about, with my household, the group, the coaches, the gamers,” Vrabel defined. “These have been constructive and productive. I imagine to be able to achieve success on and off the sector, it’s important to make good selections. That features me. That begins with me. We by no means need our actions to negatively have an effect on the staff. We by no means need to be the reason for distraction.”

Vrabel and Russini, who’re each married to different individuals, previously denied any wrongdoing associated to the photographs revealed by Page Six. Nonetheless, Russini has since resigned from her position of overlaying the NFL for The Athletic. She joined that outlet in 2023, and her contract was resulting from expire on June 30. 

Mike Vrabel makes promise to Patriots, followers amid Dianna Russini controversy

“These are feedback and questions that I’ve answered for the staff and with the staff,” Vrabel continued. “We’ll preserve these personal and to ourselves. I care deeply about this soccer staff, and excited to educate them. I additionally know that I’m going to assault every day with humility and focus. And what I can promise you is that my household, this group, the staff, the workers, the coaches, everyone, our followers, most significantly, will get the perfect model of me going ahead. And that’s what I do know. And I’m excited to try this, however I needed to, one, simply handle this, and thanks to your endurance in coping with the personal and private matter.” 

On April 17, ESPN’s Ben Strauss revealed that the NFL wouldn’t be reviewing Vrabel’s conduct as a part of the league’s private conduct coverage. It was beforehand recommended that the NFL may look into whether or not or not Vrabel violated tampering guidelines by having a detailed relationship with Russini. 

Not less than one former participant just lately insisted that Vrabel had to deal with this matter together with his squad, and the truth that he did serves as yet one more reminder that it is presently something however “business as usual” for the reigning AFC champions. It stays to be seen what else Vrabel should say about this matter as soon as the primary spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft wraps up on Thursday night time. 

The Patriots presently maintain the draft’s thirty first total choice.