Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini photo timeline, from 2020 bar kiss to recent hotel pictures in Arizona

Vrabel appeared to be wearing a ring on his ring finger during the encounter. Other shots show Vrabel placing his hand on Russini's arm and thigh.

At the time the photos were taken, Vrabel had been married to his wife, Jen, for 20 years. Russini wed her now-husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, six months later.

Aug. 2023

After eight years as one of ESPN's highest-profile insiders, Russini made the decision to leave the Worldwide Leader, signing on to join The Athletic. According to Andrew Marchand, formerly of the New York Post, ESPN offered to increase Russini's salary in the hopes of preventing her from leaving ESPN. She did so anyways, opting to join The Athletic -- a New York Times-backed publication that called on her to spearhead its NFL coverage via written stories as well as video and podcast content.

Jan. 9, 2024

Vrabel was sacked as Titans head coach on Jan. 9, 2024, two days after the end of the 2023 season. Tennessee went 6-11 in Vrabel's final season in charge. He finished his tenure with a 54-45 regular season record (.545), leading the Titans to the postseason three times.

Jan. 31, 2024

Three weeks after the Titans fired Vrabel, he was seen chumming around with Russini at a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, according to TMZ.

Witnesses at the casino reportedly told TMZ that the two were "quite comfortable together, drinking and chatting with other gamblers."

March 15, 2024

Unable to land a gig as a head coach or coordinator, Vrabel settled for a consultancy spot with the Browns, offering musings on all things coaching and personnel on a one-year deal.

Jan. 12, 2025

One week after the Patriots dismissed Jerod Mayo, they announced that they were hiring Vrabel as their new head coach. Vrabel cited his familiarity with the franchise -- and the appeal of New England's standout hurler, Drake Maye -- as reason for his decision to return to Beantown.

"I came here because of the familiarity. I came here because of Drake," Vrabel said, per NBC Sports Boston. "I knew what he would be, and it was important for me to come here. And that's someone I wanted to coach. And so building a program is about that."

Under Vrabel's tutelage, New England underwent a historic turnaround, claiming 10 more victories than it did during Mayo's reign. The Patriots swept aside the Texans and Broncos, advancing to Super Bowl 60. New England huffed and puffed, but fell quietly to the Seahawks in the title game, 29-13.

MORE:Why did Dianna Russini resign at The Athletic?

April 7, 2026

On April 7, Page Six published images of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at a luxury resort in Sedona, Arizona. The interaction reportedly took place "two weekends" prior, with Vrabel said to be in the area for a scouting event at Arizona State. The duo were also slated to be attendees at the annual NFL Competition Committee meeting, held at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.

The photos show Vrabel and Russini hugging, holding hands and lying together alongside the hotel pool. Page Six reported that Vrabel and Russini were seen sharing “breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant.” Later in the evening, they joined each other “on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows.”

Sources close to Russini and Vrabel claimed the interaction was platonic, according to Page Six. The former was said to be on a hiking trip with two friends, while the latter said Vrabel and some friends drove to Sedona briefly before returning to the hotel where they were staying, located two hours away.

Both Vrabel and Russini brushed aside suggestions that the photographs incriminated them. Vrabel told Page Six that the photos showcased “a completely innocent interaction” and didn’t “deserve any further response."

Russini, meanwhile, claimed that the photos misrepresented the interaction.

“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini told Page Six. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues."

April 10, 2026

Three days after images of Vrabel and Russini leaked, The New York Post and Page Six reported that The New York Times announced that it was conducting an internal investigation into Russini's actions.

"After Page Six reached out to Dianna for comment, The Athletic immediately began an investigation," a source told The New York Post. "While the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for [the Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg] and leadership at the Athletic, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, specifically the presence of a larger group of friends...[but] new details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation raised additional concerns that are now being reviewed further. The investigation is ongoing."

Ginsberg previously offered support for Vrabel and Russini's explanation of the

April 14, 2026

Four days after news of The New York Times’ investigation into Russini’s actions broke, she announced her resignation from The Athletic.

In a letter directed to Ginsberg, Russini indicated that she wasn’t stepping down because of “the narrative that has been constructed” about her relationship with Vrabel. Rather, her contract with The Athletic was slated to expire, and she did not want to let speculation over her and Vrabel’s relationship “define me or my career.”

The NFL reporter shared a message on social media saying she came to the decision “with deep sadness but with clarity about what is right for me, my family, and the work I have spent my career building.”

April 18, 2026

The NFL announced that it was not reviewing whether Vrabel violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy, league spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN.

April 21, 2026

Vrabel offered his first public comments on his interaction with Russini, admitting he had to have "difficult conversations" with those around him after photos of the two were leaked to the press.

"I've had some difficult conversations with people I care about about -- with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players," Vrabel said during the Patriots' pre-draft presser. "Those have been positive and productive. We believe, in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team."

Shortly thereafter, he announced that he would be stepping away from the team to undergo counseling related to the interaction.

Here is Vrabel's statement in full:

"Let me first begin by saying thank you for your patience that you've shown in a personal and private matter. For me, and obviously everybody that's involved, I know that's not easy for you and I respect that and appreciate your efforts in doing so. I understand that I could have addressed you guys sooner, but it was important for me to have a conversation with the players, which I did yesterday very candidly as we began our offseason program, which everyone is excited to be a part of. Stacy had mentioned the players availability and it was never my intention to have them speak to you or address you before I did. And so I asked him to come today and talk with you. I also don't want to take away from the draft, the weekend of the draft. This is an important time for us as an organization. The excitement and the joy that those players are gonna have that we bring onto our football team, they're starting an amazing journey one that should celebrated as we welcome them onto out football team.

"With that being said, I've had some difficult conversations with people I care about about -- with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive. We believe, in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. We never want to be the cause of a distraction. Those are comments and questions that I've answered for the team and with the team and we'll keep those private and to ourselves. I care deeply about this football team and I'm excited to coach them. I also know that I'm going to attack each day with humility and focus. And what I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly will get the best version of me going forward. And that's what I know. I'm excited to do that, but I wanted to just address this and thank you for dealing with a private and personal matter."

April 22, 2026

One day after addressing his photos with Russini, Vrabel announced that he was stepping away from New England during Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft to seek counseling.

“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said, according to ESPN. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.

“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.”