NFL Won't Investigate Mike Vrabel Despite Photos With Journalist, and the Patriots Aren't Either
The NFL is officially staying out of it. An NFL spokesperson told ESPN on Friday that the league will not review New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel following the release of photos showing him with journalist Dianna Russini at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Arizona. The story broke on April 8 when the New York Post's Page Six published the images of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging. Both are married. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, denied any wrongdoing.
What the League's Policy Actually Says
Here's the thing that matters: the NFL's personal conduct policy requires players, coaches, and executives to avoid "conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League." That language is broad enough to cover a lot of ground. But the league apparently doesn't see a violation here, at least not one worth investigating. The decision to pass came despite the situation already carrying real consequences for Russini, who resigned from her position as lead NFL reporter at The Athletic on Tuesday following an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiWhat Vrabel and Russini Said
Vrabel told the Post the photos were "completely innocent" in his response. Russini said the pictures "lacked context" and didn't show the other members of the group they were with. Neither provided a comment when ESPN reached out on Friday about the league's decision. A Patriots spokesperson also refused to say whether the team is reviewing the situation internally.
Vrabel took over as Patriots head coach before the 2025 season after his playing days with the franchise ended. He led New England all the way to Super Bowl LX, where they faced the Seahawks. Seattle won that one, 29-13. The Patriots organization remains silent on whether this situation changes anything for their head coach moving forward.
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