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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will reportedly skip the team’s pre-draft press conference this week as attention on his relationship with NFL reporter Dianna Russini has become brighter.
The NFL is more than a week away from welcoming the next generation of college football talent to the league. The Patriots have the 31st pick in the first round, which begins April 23.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters at the NFL annual meetings in Phoenix on March 31, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)
ESPN reported that Vrabel is not expected to speak to reporters until the draft. Patriots executive Eliot Wolf will hold his pre-draft press conference at 2 p.m. ET on Monday.
Last week, photos surfaced on Page Six showing Vrabel and Russini getting questionably close at an Arizona resort. While The Athletic initially defended Russini, sources familiar with the matter told Pak Gazette Digital that the journalist was being investigated.
“After Page Six contacted Dianna for comment on Tuesday, The Athletic immediately began an investigation. While the behavior apparent in the photos raised questions for Steven and The Athletic’s leadership, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, specifically 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 raised additional concerns that are now being reviewed further. The investigation is ongoing.”
The source added that Russini’s coverage is being reviewed, which is expected to take time, and that he will not report for the outlet in the meantime.
The New York Times declined to comment.
Photos showed Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging on the roof of the Sedona resort.
Vrabel defended himself in statements to Page Six.
Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party 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 otherwise is ridiculous. This deserves no further response,” he said.
