Disgraced NFL coach Mike Vrabel is set to show face at the 2026 NFL Draft – unless the New England Patriots make a huge sacrifice in Pittsburgh tonight.
On Thursday, the New York Post shared images allegedly showing Vrabel and former NFL Insider Dianna Russini kissing at a secluded New York City bar, six years ago.
The emergence of the photos comes shortly after different pictures showed the two hugging and hanging out poolside at an adults-only resort in Arizona earlier this month, leading to allegations that they have been having an affair.
The NFL head coach and Russini, who are both married with children, have denied those accusations and instead claimed they were at the resort with a larger group.
In the wake of the ongoing scandal, Patriots head coach Vrabel insisted that he would seek counseling over the matter and revealed his decision to skip Day 3 of the Draft.
However, plans still remain in place for Vrabel to be in the Draft room on Thursday night for Day 1 of the Draft. Furthermore, the Patriots head coach will be required to speak to the media on the night, should the franchise make a pick.
Vrabel has admitted he’s been forced to have ‘difficult conversations with people I care about’ as he addressed the Russini photo scandal for the first time on Tuesday
Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel have known each other since his time as head coach of the Titans. Both have denied claims of an affair
As it stands, New England have the 31st pick of the Draft, however, could trade out of the first round in order to offer Vrabel some reprieve from the spotlight.
Patriots executives Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden are set to face the media on Friday and Saturday meaning that if the team decide to trade out, Vrabel will not be on media duty until May 27, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.
It seems more than likely that the Patriots will look to orchestrate a trade, given that a late first-round pick bears little difference to an early second-round pick in value.
Meanwhile, Vrabel has already confirmed that he will not be present at Day 3 of the Draft, which is expected to be New England’s busiest night in Pittsburgh.
Eight of New England’s picks are set to come on Saturday throughout the fourth to seventh rounds of the draft.
After breaking his silence on the affair allegations, he admitted he will be seeking counseling to become a ‘better person’ for both 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.
Russini and Vrabel were reportedly seen together at the now-closed Tribeca Tavern in 2020
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and they have two children
‘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.’
His shock statement came just 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 went on to describe the pair as ‘all over each other.’
‘They were having a glorious time,’ the source said. ‘They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly. There was nobody in there. Nobody knew who they were. I don’t even think the bartenders did.’
Curiously, the photos were reportedly taken as the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping across the United States, although nobody appeared to be practicing social distancing.
Russini was married to her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, later that year. Vrabel, meanwhile, has been married to his wife Jen since 1999. Both have two children.
Dianna Russini married fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020 during the pandemic
The two visited a hotel, Ambiente, which is an adults-only venue near Sedona, Arizona
Russini would join 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 with Russini fraternizing at a $2,500-a-night retreat in Sedona, Arizona. The Post later released other pictures, showing Vrabel and Russini enjoying breakfast together.
While sources close to both parties insisted to Page Six they were joined by a group of friends, ‘multiple eyewitnesses’ reportedly claimed the two were actually ‘alone’ in Arizona.
The Daily Mail has sought comment from Russini and through Vrabel’s agent.
Vrabel and Russini have both denied any wrongdoing, while insisting the photos of them hugging and hanging poolside are misleading.
Russini was ultimately placed on leave and investigated by The Athletic’s parent company, The New York Times, only to resign from her position last week.
