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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was never scheduled to attend the team’s preliminary press conference on Monday, a team spokesperson confirmed to PK Press Club Digital on Sunday.
Vrabel’s absence coincided with the scrutiny he received after he appeared in photos published in Page Six last week, showing him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini being questionably close to each other.
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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)
However, the Patriots told reporters in March that Vrabel would not participate in the pre-draft press conference. 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.
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.
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 launched an investigation. Although the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for Steven and executives at The Athletic, an initial review suggested 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.
