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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reportedly skipped the pre-team press conference this week as the spotlight on his relationship with NFL reporter Dianna Russini grew brighter.
The NFL is more than a week away from welcoming the next generation of college football talent to the league. The Patriots hold the 31st pick in the first round, which begins April 23.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters during the NFL annual meetings in Phoenix on March 31, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)
ESPN reported that Vrabel is not expected to speak to reporters before the draft. Patriots executive Eliot Wolf will hold the preliminary press conference at 2 p.m. ET on Monday.
Photos appeared in Page Six last week showing Vrabel and Russini getting questionably close at an Arizona resort. While The Athletic initially defended Russini, sources familiar with the matter told PK Press Club Digital that the journalist was under investigation.
“After Page Six contacted Dianna for comment on Tuesday, The Athletic immediately opened an investigation. Although the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for Steven and executives at The Athletic, an initial review suggested that the images provided lacked context, particularly the presence of a larger group of friends,” a source said.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the 2026 NFL League Annual Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona on March 31, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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“New details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation have raised additional concerns that are currently being further investigated. The investigation is ongoing.”
The source added that media coverage of Russini was being reviewed, which is expected to take time, and that she would not be reporting for the outlet in the meantime.
The New York Times declined to comment.
The photos showed Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging on the roof of the Sedona resort.
Vrabel defended himself in a statement to Page Six.
Dianna Russini attends the Fanatics Super Bowl Party 2026 at Pier 48 in San Francisco, California on February 7, 2026. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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“These photos show a completely innocent interaction, and any suggestion to the contrary is laughable. It merits no further response,” he said.
