More than three weeks after a photographer snapped pictures of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini together at an Arizona resort, two weeks after the New York Post published those photos and one week after Russini resigned, Vrabel has broken his public silence.
The New England Patriots' head coach spoke to reporters on April 21, his first press conference since the New York Post published the photos on April 7.
"I've had some difficult conversations with people I care about about − with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players," Vrabel said in an opening statement.
Following his statement, Vrabel declined to answer any further questions from reporters.
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Vrabel's comments seem to close the book on what became one of the biggest stories of the early NFL offseason. The Patriots and the NFL have both made it clear that the head coach won't face discipline for his involvement in the photo controversy. Russini's resignation from The Athletic was something of a conclusion for her involvement.
USA TODAY Sports lays out the full timeline of events that led up to Vrabel's press conference statement on April 21.
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.
Dianna Russini attends FanDuel's Super Bowl Party Powered by Spotify on Feb. 7, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ESPN NFL Countdown analyst Dianna Russini poses during AFC practice at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, Florida, on Jan. 23, 2020.
ESPN's Dianna Russini photographed for (201) Magazine at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, N.J., on Aug. 24, 2020.
Dianna Russini attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019 in Los Angeles.
ESPN commentator Dianna Russini attends the BODY at The EPYS Pre-Party at Avalon Hollywood on July 11, 2017 in Los Angeles.
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.
1 / 15Dianna 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.
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.