Will the Patriots suspend Mike Vrabel if relationship rumors are true?

So far, New England Patriots Mike Vrabel has managed to avoid saying much about his relationship with NFL reporter Dianna Russini.

Both Russini, who resigned from “The Athletic” yesterday, and Vrabel have denied any personal involvement with each other, but that hasn’t stopped the gossip.

While she has fielded most of the criticism, he has remained largely untouched, and some think it’s a double standard that Russini has taken the brunt of it.

Former ESPN reporter Jemele Hill spoke on the subject.

“I didn’t say it didn’t raise concerns, but trust me when I tell you that a lot of insiders are in some truly compromised relationships. Maybe they aren’t holding hands, but they are drinking with these dudes, going on vacations, attending weddings, and family events.

"Dianna ain’t gotta give a [expletive] about me for me to understand an obvious double standard. If she has a compromised relationship, she should be relieved of her beat, but there is a clear difference in the level of scrutiny and judgment she’s receiving versus Mike Vrabel. Her career will be over. Him … see him on the sidelines for Game 1.”

NFL insider Albert Breer thinks it’s time for Vrabel to address the elephant in the room.

"I think it becomes a credibility issue with the players. If you’re preaching accountability 365 days a year to a group of 24,25,26 year olds… and if you’re not addressing it at all and you’re pretending like nothing happened… they’re gonna look at you sideways."

Mike Vrabel can’t hide from the press forever, and the more he tries to avoid it, the louder the voices will get for not only him but the Patriots as well.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Will the Patriots suspend Mike Vrabel if relationship rumors are true?