First NFL update on Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini controversy

Mike Vrabel is reportedly not under review after photos emerged of the New England Patriots coach at a luxury resort with Dianna Russini, a former reporter at The Athletic.

Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic in the aftermath of the photos going public. One image appeared to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, while another appeared to show the two embracing in a hug. It has turned into a public relations nightmare that has some wondering if the NFL would consider potential disciplinary action toward Vrabel.

However, ESPN's Ben Strauss' latest update revealed that the league currently isn't reviewing Vrabel's behavior as part of the personal conduct policy.

Strauss wrote:

"NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is not reviewing Vrabel's behavior as part of the league's personal conduct policy, which states players, coaches and executives are required to avoid 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.'"

Per Page Six, Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, claimed they were with friends, but those individuals weren't visible in the photos. That explanation hasn't quelled the speculation that continues to swirl around the situation.

Vrabel didn't speak at the recent pre-draft press conference held by Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, but that was always supposed to be the case. For the Patriots, it has been business as usual ahead of one of the biggest weeks of the season with the 2026 NFL Draft set to start on April 23, according to Wolf.

"Very involved," Wolf said, via Patriots Wire's Sophie Weller. "Business as usual. He’s been in there with us probably ... this round of meetings, probably a little more than last year."