Still laughing, Mike Vrabel? Patriots coach torches credibility as scandal grows

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Still laughing, Mike Vrabel? Patriots coach torches credibility as scandal grows | Opinion

Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Fri, Apr 24, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Who's that laughing now, Mike Vrabel?

Like millions, dude, laughing at you as the scandal involving your interactions with Dianna Russini, former NFL reporter for The Athletic, seemingly gets more salacious by the hour.

What a pitiful saga.

When the initial bombshell dropped with The New York Post publishing photographs of Vrabel and Russini, captured so cozy at a luxury resort in Sedona, Arizona, before the NFL owners meeting in late March, the New England Patriots coach harrumphed that any suggestion the pictures reflected more than an innocent interaction was "laughable."

Then came another wave. And another. The latest photo drop by The Post, hours before the NFL draft began on Thursday, captured the two purportedly canoodling at a bar in New York – in 2020!

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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.

(Billie Weiss, Getty Images)

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.
(Donald Miralle, Getty Images)

Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(NFL Photos, NFL via Getty Images)

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.
(Billie Weiss, Getty Images)

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.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

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.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

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.
(Harry How, Getty Images)

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.
(ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images)

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.
(Douglas McFadd, Getty Images)

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.
(Elsa, Getty Images)

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.
(David Berding, Getty Images)

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.
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)

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.
(Timothy T Ludwig, Getty Images)

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.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)

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.
(Courtney Culbreath, Getty Images)

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.
(Wesley Hitt, Getty Images)

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.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)

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.
(Johnnie Izquierdo, Getty Images)

Now Vrabel is stepping away, for therapy and time with his family.

At the half-empty "news conference" staged on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, someone asked Vrabel to explain how this progressed from "laughable" to a need for counseling. He had the nerve to trumpet the family theme in trying to explain away his initial statement.

"That's a private, personal matter," Vrabel said. "I don't think that those comments…I think that was always an attempt to protect your family and I would never be dismissive."

Yeah, right. "Dismissive" perfectly describes that first statement – which was hardly comical.

Now Vrabel is selling a different explanation, maintaining, "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to."

What actions? Well, that's personal and private.

More: Vrabel-Russini timeline: Patriots coach steps away from final day of NFL draft

Mike Vrabel press conference offers little clarity on absence

As I watched the NFL's reigning Coach of the Year stumble along during his 7-minute session, talking about accountability and not wanting to be a distraction, I was convinced that he was most sorry about getting caught engaging in "private" situations in "public" settings. Whatever may have happened between Vrabel and Russini – who, like Vrabel, is married to another person – is not public knowledge.

Yet Vrabel missing Day 3 of the NFL draft to spend time with his family is very public knowledge now. I'm guessing the getaway won't happen in Sedona.

"My family needs me this weekend, and that's where I'll be," said Vrabel, who never mentioned his wife, Jen, by name. They are parents to two sons.

It's unclear how long Vrabel's absence will be. But it doesn't sound like the plan is for him to be away for an extended period. He didn't deny a report that maintained he will be accessible to the Patriots, including team owner Robert Kraft and Eliot Wolf, who runs the draft as VP-personnel, during the third day of the draft. And the Patriots didn't name a temporary interim. So, maybe they figure he'll be back for the rookie minicamp.

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Dianna Russini, former 'The Athletic' reporter on and off the field

NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigned from her position at The Athletic on April 14, exactly one week after pictures of her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at a posh Arizona report were published by the New York Post . attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on Feb. 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

(Anna Webber, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is interviewed by Dianna Russini after the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec 25, 2025.
(Jeffrey Becker, Imagn Images)

Dianna Russini attends FanDuel's Super Bowl Party Powered by Spotify on Feb. 7, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

(Jeff Schear, Getty Images for FanDuel's Super Bowl Party Powered by Spotify!)

Dianna Russini attends Chris Stapleton's Performance Live From The Fillmore New Orleans for SiriusXM and Pandora on Feb. 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

(Daniel Boczarski, Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Dianna Russini attends Michael Rubin's Fanatics Super Bowl party at the Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Feb. 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2022
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California, on Feb 7, 2022.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

ESPN sideline reporter Dianna Russini runs alongside DC Defenders safety Rahim Moore for an on field interview against the Seattle Dragons in the second quarter during a XFL football game at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 8, 2020.

(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)

ESPN NFL Countdown analyst Dianna Russini poses during AFC practice at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, Florida, on Jan. 23, 2020.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

ESPN's Dianna Russini photographed for (201) Magazine at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, N.J., on Aug. 24, 2020.

(Mitsu Yasukawa, Northjersey.com via USA TODAY Network)

ESPN radio sideline reporter Dianna Russini during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Nov. 10, 2019.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Dianna Russini attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019 in Los Angeles.

(Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images)

Dianna Russini attends Heroes at the ESPYS at City Market Social House on July 17, 2018 in Los Angeles.
(Rich Fury, Getty Images)

ESPN commentator Dianna Russini attends the BODY at The EPYS Pre-Party at Avalon Hollywood on July 11, 2017 in Los Angeles.

(Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images)

ESPN's Dianna Russini interviews Ryan Fitzpatrick of the New York Jets after the New York Jets beat the Buffalo Bills, 37-31, at New Era Field on Sept. 15, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York.

(Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images)

Mike Vrabel not expected to face discipline from Patriots, NFL

Also apparent is that the NFL has no intent to review Vrabel's actions under terms of the league's personal conduct policy. Sure, as shady as it may seem, with no criminal allegations involved, it would be quite the precedent for the NFL to go down that path.

Still, while Vrabel remains on his job after a spectacular return to New England that culminated with the franchise getting back to the Super Bowl in his first season , his reputation will never fully recover from this.

Sure, he's a sharp football mind and motivator of men. His game-management strategy is impeccable. Maybe he ultimately leads the Patriots to their first Super Bowl crown without Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Yet this probably never goes away. Even if Vrabel goes on to a Hall of Fame coaching career, this episode sticks to his legacy in some form. I mean, Belichick, the future Hall of Famer, is undoubtedly paying the price for another black eye in Patriots history, Spygate. And at this rate, it would not be surprising if more layers to Vrabel's saga are unveiled.

Now there's a clip that someone posted on X, with Russini interviewing Vrabel, since his return to New England, and asking a question about his wife. In real time, it probably seemed so innocent. In retrospect, it has a cruel irony about it.

Vrabel is the coach who routinely opens his press conferences by calling on veteran female reporters to ask the first question. It has long struck me as a rather cool gesture, as Vrabel explained it as a nod to difficulties that women contend with in a male-dominated environment.

And now he's embroiled in a controversy involving a female reporter, who by the way, resigned from her high-profile job while The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, conducts an investigation into her dealings with Vrabel. That's ironic, too.

Turns out that Vrabel's return to Foxborough to replace one-and-done Jerod Mayo was indeed too good to be true.

Which is no laughing matter.

Contact Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel torches credibility as Dianna Russini photo scandal grows

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