Dianna Russini, Mike Vrabel discussed his wife before scandal in 2025 interview

(Matt Stone/Boston Herald/TNS)

NEW YORK — Dianna Russini, the senior NFL reporter who stepped down from The Athletic amid allegations of an affair with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, interviewed the latter about his wife in 2025, ahead of the scandal this month.

The journalist, 43, said in an Athletic clip — parts of which appear to have harsh cuts — making the rounds Thursday that Vrabel’s wife Jen, a former college volleyball player, “is a superb athlete.” Us Weekly reports the interview took place during the 2025 offseason.

“I would say used to be,” says 50-year-old Vrabel, who has been married since 1999. He and Jen share two sons, 25-year-old Tyler and 24-year-old Carter.

Russini suggests “she’s still got it in her, I’m sure, the way you do,” before asking which sport he believed his wife “could beat [him] at now?” Vrabel offers up ping pong, because he happens to “get too aggressive,” which Russini said she “can see.”

Russini, for her part, has been married since September 2020 to Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, with whom she shares sons Michael, 4, and Joseph, 3.

Speculation about the nature of Russini and Vrabel’s relationship has dominated headlines since April 7, when photos from late March were published of the pair holding hands poolside at an Arizona hotel.

Both the former “SportsCenter” anchor and Vrabel denied anything sordid was going on, with the New York Times-owned Athletic initially standing by her.

But on April 11 the paper announced it was “investigating the conduct” of Russini, who ultimately handed in her resignation three days later. Russini tweeted a since-deleted copy of her resignation letter, in which she doubled down that she’d done nothing wrong and just wanted to quell the chatter.

Even more damning photos were published Thursday, which appear to show the pair kissing at a New York bar in early 2020. This prompted the resurfacing of a since-deleted 2021 tweet, in which Russini said she kept “looking at my almost 4 day old son Michael while trying to figure out who are the best Michaels to ever play and coach in the NFL?”

Within hours, the NFL draft kicked off and Vrabel announced he’s “committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” which caps off the draft.

“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”