Sports
Sources: Collier back to Lynx on supermax deal
Napheesa Collier signs supermax contract to return to the Lynx
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Patriots VP addresses Mike Vrabel NFL Draft role after Dianna Russini photos
TL;DR
New England Patriots VP Eliot Wolf confirmed that head coach Mike Vrabel is actively involved in player evaluations ahead of the NFL Draft. This statement comes after photos of Vrabel with reporter Dianna Russini sparked controversy.
The first high-ranking member of the New England Patriots has now addressed Mike Vrabel's situation − sort of − nearly a week after photos of the club's head coach with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort were published by the New York Post.
Asked during the team's April 13 pre-draft news conference about Vrabel's involvement with player evaluations over the past week, Pats vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said: "Very involved. Business as usual. He’s been in there with us a little more than he was last year."
And that was pretty much it. Wolf didn't talk about Vrabel before he began taking questions, then only got one remotely acknowledging the controversy his coach currently finds swirling about him.
Feb 5, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks to media members at the Santa Clara Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Vrabel, who addressed reporters the week prior to last year's draft, did not do so Monday but was never scheduled to, either. He and Wolf both met with the national media at this year's annual scouting combine. Vrabel also spoke to reporters at the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix on March 31, just days after he'd been photographed at a posh Arizona getaway with Russini, The Athletic's NFL insider but before those pictures surfaced.
The photos, which were published on April 7, show Vrabel and Russini in bathing suits poolside as well as hugging on a rooftop at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, days before the league meeting. Both Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are married to other people with whom they have children.
"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Vrabel told the Post, which published the photos, in a statement last week.
"This doesn’t deserve any further response."
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
- Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
- Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
- Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
- Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
- Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
- Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
- New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
- Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
- Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
- Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
- Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
- Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
- Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
- Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
- Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
- Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
- Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
- Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
- Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
- New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
- Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
1 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
1 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
3 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
4 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
5 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
6 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
7 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
8 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
9 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
10 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
11 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
12 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
13 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
14 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
15 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
16 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
17 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
18 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
20 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
21 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
22 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
23 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
24 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
25 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
26 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
27 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
28 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
29 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
30 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
32 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Vrabel will likely speak publicly during the NFL draft, which begins April 23 in Pittsburgh, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. That person was granted anonymity because the Patriots have not scheduled any news conferences during the draft. And New England, which holds the penultimate pick of the first round, might not even choose anyone on the first night if the team trades back from that 31st overall selection − the one organically conferred to the previous season's Super Bowl runner-up.
Vrabel, Wolf and VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden all addressed reporters at various points during the 2025 draft, Vrabel doing so on the night of the first round following the selection of former LSU left tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall selection.
Russini, who worked for ESPN prior to joining The Athletic in 2023, covered Vrabel while he was the coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. Though she initially received a statement of support from The Athletic (also effectively the New York Times' sports section) after the release of the photos, her conduct is now being investigated by The Times. She won't be reporting in the interim.
All NFL news on and off the field.Sign upfor USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel role addressed by Patriots VP after Dianna Russini photos
Q&A
What did Eliot Wolf say about Mike Vrabel's role in player evaluations?
Eliot Wolf stated that Mike Vrabel is 'very involved' in player evaluations and has been participating more than he did last year.
What controversy is surrounding Mike Vrabel?
The controversy involves photos of Mike Vrabel with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort, which have drawn public attention.
How has the Patriots organization responded to the Vrabel controversy?
The Patriots organization, represented by VP Eliot Wolf, has acknowledged the situation but has not provided extensive comments beyond confirming Vrabel's involvement in evaluations.
When did Eliot Wolf address the media regarding Mike Vrabel?
Eliot Wolf addressed the media during the team's pre-draft news conference on April 13.
