Chad Johnson offers candid perspective on the Mike Vrabel scandal that isn't going away anytime soon

Oct 5, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson walks on the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The story surrounding Mike Vrabel’s affair with Dianna Russini has left many in the public stunned. For former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad “Ochocino” Johnson, it’s nothing new.

Mike Vrabel‘s exposed affair with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini has sent shockwaves around the media landscape. To some around the league like former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, it’s not that shocking.

In a recent conversation with “Nightcap” co-host Shannon Sharpe and former NBA Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell, Johnson offered a different kind of perspective about the scandal and its publicity.

“We’ve been in a lifestyle so much where we’ve seen so many, so many situations, so many cases,” Johnson said. “Even some that weren’t made public, or we know about it behind closed doors, but we’ve seen situations like this so much, like, so often over the years. It’s like to others, the regular folk was like, ‘Oh my God, look what’s going on.’ But I’m thinking back, to myself, I’m like, It’s normal.”

Chad Johnson isn’t phased by Mike Vrabel’s affair with Dianna Russini

Johnson has found a new career covering the NFL and sports after his 11-year career in which he played 10 seasons in Cincinnati. He’s been out of the league for longer than he was in it.

Situations such as what Vrabel and Russini partook in aren’t always brought to light. Johnson says he’s no longer phased to the similar happenings that don’t become public.