Things just keep getting worse for New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and now-former NFL reporter for The Athletic, Dianna Russini.
On Thursday, and just hours before Vrabel’s Patriots will take part in the 2026 NFL Draft, new photos were published from Page Six featuring him and Russini.
The photos, which were taken six years ago, show Russini and Vrabel kissing at a bar in New York City, leaving no doubt about the extent of their relationship.
“Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were ‘all over each other’ at a secluded bar in New York City — six years before they were caught holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort,” Teresa Roca of Page Six reported..
The photos were taken at the Tribeca Tavern on March 11, 2020, the report says.
Vrabel was and still is married to his wife, Jen, at the time the photos were taken.
Meanwhile, Russini wasn’t yet engaged to her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, until six months after the photos were taken.
“They were kissing and they were all over each other,” the Page Six source said. “He had a ring on.”
The release of the photos comes just weeks after the pair were caught at a luxury hotel in Arizona holding hands and hugging, which set off a firestorm.
The photos have since led to Russini’s resignation from her previous employer, The Athletic.
“This media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete,” Russini wrote. “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.”
Both Vrabel and Russini initially denied the affair, but Vrabel has since addressed the situation further.
Mike Vrabel finally addressed the media about the controversy with Russini on Wednesday during the team’s pre-draft press conference.
While he did not outright say he was guilty, he pretty much admitted it by saying he had to have “some difficult conversations with people I care about,” including with his players, coaches, the organization and, most importantly, his family.
“I understand I could’ve addressed you guys sooner, but it was important to me to have a conversation with the players, which I did yesterday, very candidly,” Vrabel told reporters.
“With that being said,” Vrabel added, “I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about — with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.”
Vrabel promised that he would be “the best version of me going forward” and revealed he will be away from the team on Day 3 of the draft to get counseling.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said.
“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person,” he added.
Since her statement upon resigning from The Athletic, Dianna Russini has not addressed the situation further.