Disgraced NFL coach Mike Vrabel is set to appear at the 2026 NFL Draft, unless the New England Patriots make a significant sacrifice in Pittsburgh tonight. On Thursday, the New York Post published images allegedly showing Vrabel and former NFL insider Dianna Russini kissing at a secluded New York City bar six years ago. The emergence of these photos follows earlier pictures that depicted the two hugging and lounging poolside at an adults-only resort in Arizona earlier this month, sparking allegations of an affair.
Denials and Counseling
The NFL head coach and Russini, both married with children, have denied the accusations, claiming they were at the resort with a larger group. In the wake of the scandal, Patriots head coach Vrabel insisted he would seek counseling and revealed his decision to skip Day 3 of the Draft. However, plans remain for Vrabel to be in the Draft room on Thursday night for Day 1. He will be required to speak to the media if the franchise makes a pick. Vrabel admitted he has had 'difficult conversations with people I care about' as he addressed the Russini photo scandal for the first time on Tuesday.
Potential Trade to Avoid Spotlight
New England holds the 31st pick but could trade out of the first round to offer Vrabel some reprieve. Patriots executives Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden are set to face the media on Friday and Saturday, meaning if the team trades out, Vrabel will not be on media duty until May 27, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive. It seems likely the Patriots will orchestrate a trade, given that a late first-round pick bears little difference in value to an early second-round pick. Vrabel has already confirmed he will not attend Day 3 of the Draft, which is expected to be New England's busiest night in Pittsburgh, with eight picks scheduled from the fourth to seventh rounds.
Vrabel's Statement on Counseling
After breaking his silence on the affair allegations, Vrabel admitted he will seek counseling to become a 'better person' for his family and the Patriots. '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 told ESPN's Mike Reiss. 'This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them. 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. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.'
New Photos Emerge
His statement came hours before the latest batch of exclusive photos from the New York Post came to light. The picture purportedly showed Vrabel, then-coach of the Tennessee Titans, at the now-closed Tribeca Tavern with Russini, who was working for ESPN and frequently covering the team at the time. 'They were kissing and they were all over each other,' one witness told Page Six of the March 11, 2020, encounter in New York. 'He had a ring on.' The source described the pair as 'all over each other,' giving 'pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly.' The photos were reportedly taken as the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping across the United States, although nobody appeared to be practicing social distancing.
Background and Aftermath
Russini was married to her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, later that year. Vrabel has been married to his wife Jen since 1999. Both have two children. Russini joined The Athletic in 2023, while Vrabel took over in New England last year before guiding the Patriots to the Super Bowl. Earlier this month, the New York Post published suggestive photos of Vrabel and Russini at a $2,500-a-night retreat in Sedona, Arizona. The Post later released other pictures showing them having breakfast together. While sources close to both parties insisted they were with a group of friends, 'multiple eyewitnesses' reportedly claimed the two were 'alone' in Arizona. The Daily Mail has sought comment from Russini and through Vrabel's agent. Both have denied any wrongdoing, insisting the photos are misleading. Russini was placed on leave and investigated by The Athletic's parent company, The New York Times, only to resign from her position last week.
