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Sedona Today
By the People, for the People
NFL Not Reviewing Patriots Coach Vrabel Over Russini Photos
Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic after internal investigation into her relationship with New England's head coach.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:10pm
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The NFL's opaque handling of the Vrabel-Russini incident raises questions about the league's commitment to transparency and accountability.Sedona TodayThe NFL has decided not to review New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel's conduct over photos that surfaced of him and NFL insider Dianna Russini together at a resort in Arizona. Russini, who previously worked for The Athletic, resigned from the publication after an internal investigation into her relationship with Vrabel, though the details of what occurred remain publicly unknown.
Why it 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.' However, the league has opted not to investigate Vrabel's relationship with Russini, raising questions about the enforcement of the policy.
The details
Photos published by Page Six in early April showed Vrabel and Russini hugging and holding hands at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona on March 28. Both Vrabel and Russini denied any inappropriate behavior. The Athletic, where Russini worked as a lead NFL insider, launched an internal investigation but Russini ultimately resigned on April 14 without providing evidence to back up her claim that she had been on a hiking trip with friends.
- The photos were published by Page Six on April 7, 2026.
- Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, 2026.
The players
Mike Vrabel
The head coach of the New England Patriots since 2025, leading the team to a 14-3 record and Super Bowl appearance in his first season.
Dianna Russini
A former NFL insider who worked for ESPN and The Athletic before resigning in April 2026 amid an internal investigation into her relationship with Vrabel.
Brian McCarthy
An NFL spokesman who stated the league is not reviewing Vrabel's behavior as part of the personal conduct policy.
Eliot Wolf
The New England Patriots' vice president of personnel who handled the team's pre-draft press conference in Vrabel's absence.
What they’re saying
“NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is not reviewing Vrabel's behavior as part of the league's personal conduct policy, which states players, coaches, and executives are required to avoid 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League'”
— Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman
What’s next
It's unclear whether Vrabel will be made available to the media during or after the 2026 NFL Draft next weekend.
The takeaway
The NFL's decision not to review Vrabel's conduct raises concerns about the enforcement of the league's personal conduct policy and the disparate treatment of high-profile figures compared to players. The lack of transparency around the Russini-Vrabel incident also undermines public trust in the integrity of the league.
