Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, will miss Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to seek counseling. This decision follows the release of new intimate photos with NFL insider Dianna Russini, raising questions about his accountability.
Key points
Mike Vrabel will miss Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He is seeking counseling starting this weekend.
New intimate photos with Dianna Russini have emerged.
Vrabel emphasized accountability and commitment to the Patriots.
Both the New York Post and TMZ posted new photos of the New England Patriots head coach showing what appeared to be more intimate moments with the NFL insider, formerly of The Athletic, in 2020 and 2024. Those new photos came out a day after Vrabel told ESPN he would be seeking counseling as soon as this weekend, missing Day 3 of the NFL draft to do so.
Vrabel also spoke to members of the media immediately before the first round of the draft, saying he would commit to giving the team "the best version of me possible" and taking further responsibility for his actions off of the field.
Here's a look at the full timeline of events of the controversy ahead of draft weekend.
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Q&A
Why is Mike Vrabel stepping away from the NFL Draft?
Mike Vrabel is stepping away to seek counseling, which he plans to start this weekend.
What new information has emerged about Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini?
New photos of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini from 2020 and 2024 have surfaced, showing more intimate moments.
What did Mike Vrabel say about his commitment to the Patriots?
Mike Vrabel stated he is committed to giving the team 'the best version of me possible' and taking responsibility for his actions.
How might Vrabel's absence affect the Patriots during the NFL Draft?
Vrabel's absence could impact the team's decision-making and strategy during Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
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Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates with this son after defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 inSuper Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004, in Houston, Texas.
Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Line Backer Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots standing on the field looking on during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 21-11.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots catches a two yard touchdown in the third quarter against cornerback Lito Sheppard #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida.
New England Patriots line backer Mike Vrabel celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX 06 February 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The Patriots are leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
Tony Fisher #40 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against Mike Vrabel #50 the New England Patriots during the second quarter on October 13, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 28-10.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots celebrates with Stefon Diggs #8 after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on August 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minnesota.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye #10 prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York.
Former player Mike Vrabel speaks during a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on September 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
1 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
2 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates with this son after defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 inSuper Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004, in Houston, Texas.
3 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
4 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
5 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Line Backer Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots standing on the field looking on during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 21-11.
6 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots catches a two yard touchdown in the third quarter against cornerback Lito Sheppard #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida.
8 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
New England Patriots line backer Mike Vrabel celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX 06 February 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The Patriots are leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
9 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Tony Fisher #40 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against Mike Vrabel #50 the New England Patriots during the second quarter on October 13, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 28-10.
10 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots celebrates with Stefon Diggs #8 after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
11 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on August 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minnesota.
12 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
13 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye #10 prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York.
14 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Former player Mike Vrabel speaks during a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
16 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
17 / 18
See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
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See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on September 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini controversy timeline: What Patriots' head coach has said and done
March 11, 2020
Vrabel is spotted at a bar in New York City with a woman, purported to be Russini. An observer takes multiple photos of the couple, showing them sitting closely together.
January 31, 2024
An observer at a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi snaps photos of Vrabel and Russini together weeks after the Titans fired their former head coach.
March 27
Vrabel attends Arizona State's pro day in Tempe, Arizona. He is one of many NFL officials at the Sun Devils' event, with Logan Stanley of the Arizona Republic reporting that 31 of 32 teams are represented.
March 28
Vrabel and Russini meet at the Ambiente, an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona.
A photographer captures Vrabel and Russini holding hands and embracing on the rooftop overlooking Sedona's Red Rocks. Other pictures show the head coach and the NFL insider lounging side by side by the resort's pool and in its hot tub. Page Six later reports that the two also have breakfast together the morning of March 28.
March 29
The NFL's annual league meeting begins at the Arizona Biltmore hotel in Phoenix.
Vrabel attends the conference as one of the Patriots' representatives. Russini is also present at the league meeting as a media member for The Athletic.
April 2
The Athletic publishes a list of takeaways from the league meeting, with Russini credited as one of two writers on the piece. Vrabel is referenced early in the story, noting that the Patriots' head coach participated in live drills against Arizona State prospects at their pro day less than one week earlier.
April 7
The New York Post publishes the photos of Vrabel and Russini taken at the Ambiente in Sedona on March 28.
Vrabel tells the outlet, "These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn't deserve any further response."
Russini also speaks to the New York Post, saying she and Vrabel were just two members of a larger group present at the Ambiente.
She says, "The photos don't represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues."
Ginsberg, the executive editor of The Athletic, says in a statement to the New York Post, "These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at the Athletic."
Additionally, Russini's last byline at The Athletic appears on the outlet's website. The piece is one written off of a report by the NFL insider that Indiana quarterback and presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza won't attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Front Office Sports (FOS) reports that The Athletic is reopening its investigation into Russini and her reporting. According to FOS, Russini's employer plans to sideline her from any further reporting until the investigation is over.
April 13
The Patriots hold their pre-draft press conference, which Vrabel was not scheduled to attend despite speaking at the even the previous year.
"Business as usual. He’s been in there with us a little more than he was last year," Wolf says.
No reporter asks any further pressing questions about Vrabel in relation to the controversy with Russini.
April 14
Russini resigns from The Athletic.
The NFL insider posts a screenshot of her letter of resignation – in which she references the recent controversy as "attacks against me" – on social media website X.
"I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published," she writes. "When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.
"In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.
"Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now – before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career."
According to The Guardian's Jeremy Barr, Ginsberg confirms in a Slack message that The Athletic's standards editor, Mike Semel, will continue to investigate Russini's reporting during her time at the New York Times-owned outlet. Ginsberg also addresses The Athletic's change in response from its initial defense of Russini.
"When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns," he writes in a leaked Slack message, "but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter. As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation."
April 20
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy tells USA TODAY Sports that Vrabel is not under league investigation for violation of its personal conduct policy.
April 21
One week after Russini's resignation and two weeks after the New York Post published the photos, Vrabel speaks to members of the media for the first time.
In a press conference, the Patriots' head coach admits he has had "difficult conversations" in the weeks since the publication of photos of Vrabel and Russini at the Sedona resort.
"Those (conversations) have been positive and productive," Vrabel says at the press conference. "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. You never want to be the cause of a distraction.
"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."
Vrabel tells reporters that he spoke to the Patriots' players on April 20 "very candidly," emphasizing he wanted to speak to them before their own media availability sessions as New England begins its offseason workout program.
When reporters ask Vrabel direct questions about Russini, he declines to provide further answers.
"I respect and I appreciate every single question," he says, "but I'm not going to be able to comment on anything as it relates to that. I appreciate your job and what you guys have got to do, but I have to make my comments and what I answer about our football team."
April 22
Vrabel tells ESPN that he "committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend," and would miss Day 3 of the draft to do so.
April 23
The New York Post publishes the 2020 photos of Vrabel with a woman in a New York City bar and reports that the woman is Russini.
The Patriots release a statement that they are supporting Vrabel through his decision to step away from the draft to seek counseling.
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being," the team writes. "Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment."
TMZ publishes the photos of Vrabel and Russini sharing a moment in the Mississippi casino from 2024.
Vrabel speaks to members of the media at a pre-draft press conference, confirming his plans to step away from the draft during Day 3 while taking further accountability for his actions.
