Dianna Russini releases second statement after ‘misleading’ photos confirm decision over future

Apr 15, 2026 - 10:30

The entire NFL was sent into a frenzy on April 7.

Page Six of the New York Post revealed images of New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini ‘holding hands and hugging’ at a luxury hotel in Arizona.

Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during drills during practice prior to Super Bowl LX at Stanford Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Stanford, California. — Photos of Vrabel and Russini were released by the New York Post’s Page Six

Sources told the outlet that the pair spent time together on the hotel’s outdoor patio on March 28, a day before the NFL’s Annual League Meeting began.

The pair were also spotted on a private rooftop ‘hugging at sunset and weaving their fingers together as they [stood] face-to-face’ before briefly dancing together.

Page Six’s source said that Russini was staying at the hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends.

Both Vrabel and Russini were quick to address the report.

“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” the Patriots head coach told the Post. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini said in a separate statement.

“Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

Russini resigns from The Athletic

Russini had been The Athletic’s senior NFL insider since 2023 after leaving ESPN, and the publication also released a statement.

“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor of The Athletic told the Post.

Russini resigned from The Athletic with immediate effect on Tuesday

Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots stands on the field prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 — Both Vrabel and Russini delivered statements to the Post, denying any wrongdoing

“These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL, and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”

However, on Tuesday, she released a second statement confirming that she had resigned from her position at The Athletic with immediate effect, posting an image of her resignation letter to Ginsberg.

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini wrote.

“When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.

“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.

“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. 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.

“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now – before my current contract expires on June 30.

View Tweet: https://t.co/401nrtbEsj

“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

Vrabel’s reputation appears to have remained intact

While Russini’s reputation and credibility has taken a huge hit, Vrabel appears to have been unaffected.

He is coming off a season in which he led the Patriots to the Super Bowl before being defeated by the Seattle Seahawks.

Vrabel was a standout linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion during his playing career, but still awaits his first Vince Lombardi Trophy as a coach.

2025 was his first season at the helm in New England, having spent six seasons as the Tennessee Titans head coach.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holds up the Lamar Hunt Trophy after the game. The New England Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on January 25, 2026. — Vrabel joined the Patriots in 2025 after six seasons with the Tennessee Titans

Leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl earned him NFL Coach of the Year honors for the second-time in his career, the first coming in 2021 with the Titans.

Vrabel received 19 of the 50-first place votes, accumulating a total of 302 points which was good enough to take home the award.

The 50-year-old became the seventh coach ever to win the award with multiple franchises.

He joined an elite group of coaches that includes: Chuck Knox, Bill Parcells, Bruce Arians, Dan Reeves, Don Shula and George Allen.

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