New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will not be with his team for the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft. He announced on April 22, 2026 that he is stepping away to get counseling. This decision comes after photos of him with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort spread across the internet.
Vrabel initially called the situation “laughable” and said nothing was wrong. But now, weeks later, he says he needs professional help to become a better husband, father, and coach.
“I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. 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.” – Mike Vrabel
More Photos Leak Showing Vrabel and Russini Together
The story started on April 7, 2026 when Page Six published pictures of Vrabel and Russini at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona. The photos showed them hugging and holding hands. Both are married to other people and have children.
After the first photos came out, both denied any romantic connection. Russini said they were part of a group of six friends. Vrabel called the suggestions “laughable.”
But on April 22, Page Six published more photos. These new images show the pair eating breakfast alone together on March 28 around 10:15 a.m. Witnesses at the resort told Page Six that the two seemed to be trying to hide. They walked separately to different spots and waited before following each other.
Vrabel’s Counseling Announcement Details
Vrabel will be present for the first two days of the NFL Draft but will leave before Day 3 on Saturday. His assistants Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden will run the draft room while he is gone.
The coach plans to spend the weekend with his wife Jen and their two sons outside of Massachusetts. He told ESPN that he promised his family and the team the “best version” of himself.
“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.” – Mike Vrabel
Before this announcement, Vrabel spoke to reporters on April 21. He did not answer specific questions about the Russini photos. Instead, he talked about having “difficult conversations” with his family and the team. He also said he apologized to his players for being a distraction.
Russini Resigns From The Athletic
Dianna Russini lost her job because of this scandal. The Athletic started an internal investigation after the photos appeared. On April 14, 2026, she resigned before her contract ended on June 30.
In her resignation letter, Russini said she was stepping away because she refused to let the situation define her career. She has worked as an NFL reporter for more than 15 years at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic.
She wrote: “Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. 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.”
NFL and Patriots Take No Action Against Vrabel
The NFL has decided not to punish Mike Vrabel. League spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the coach is not under investigation for breaking the league’s personal conduct policy. The Patriots organization has also not started any investigation. A team executive said last week that it was “business as usual” for the coach.
This difference in treatment has not gone unnoticed. Russini lost her job, while Vrabel keeps his position as head coach of one of the NFL’s most famous teams. The Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly tried to stop the photos from being published, but those efforts failed.
Fans React to Vrabel’s Counseling Statement
People on social media are not buying Vrabel’s explanation. Many fans pointed out that he first called the photos “laughable” but is now seeking counseling.
“Wait. I thought he said it was laughable what was being accused. What was the tough conversation?” one fan wrote on X.
Another fan said: “It’s not hard to not cheat man, I wish him nothing but the worst ngl.”
Others criticized him for only mentioning the team and not his wife in his first public statement. “He basically admitted it without saying it. Mentioned he loves the team and fans. Again, what about the wife?” a fan commented.
Some fans think Russini should also speak up again. One popular social media account wrote: “Day 15 of no apology from Dianna Russini. That’s legit crazy. Meanwhile, the story just keeps getting worse and worse.”
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What the Photos Actually Show
The new photos obtained by Page Six add more questions to this story. The images show Vrabel and Russini having breakfast alone on a patio. No other people appear in the pictures. This goes against Russini’s claim that a group of six friends was there.
An eyewitness told Page Six that the two seemed to be avoiding being seen together. “One of them would go ahead and then the other would wait for a few seconds or so, and then they would follow a few steps ahead,” the witness said. The source added that it appeared “they really didn’t want to be seen walking together.”
More pictures could still come out. Page Six has not said if they have additional photos from the resort.
Vrabel will miss the final rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 25 to start his counseling. The Patriots have not said if the team will take any internal action against their head coach.
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