Mike Vrabel Addresses Photos With Dianna Russini Ahead of NFL Draft

Mike Vrabel has broken his silence following the emergence of additional photos depicting him with former The Athletic journalist Dianna Russini.

The 50-year-old New England Patriots head coach made his remarks to media on Thursday (April 23) as the 2026 NFL Draft approached, addressing what he described as a "personal and private matter" and the "news regarding my current situation."

"I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about," Vrabel said. "My family, this football team, the organization and the fans."

He went on to acknowledge that his conduct fell short of his own standards. "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don't," he stated. "What I believe is best for the two most important things in my life, my family and this football team, is for us to take the necessary steps to work together and to give them what I told them I'd give them, which is the best version of me."

Vrabel emphasized that this commitment has already begun and will persist moving forward. "That's going to start—that has started. That'll continue this weekend. And it'll continue for however long it takes for me to give them and to complete that promise of giving them the best version of me possible," he explained.

The former NFL player expressed gratitude toward the organization's leadership and his coaching staff. "I'm grateful for Robert and Jonathan Kraft for their support. I'm thankful for the coaches and their support. Most especially, I'm thankful for the players. They're the ones that allow us to win games. They're the ones that allow us to coach them and I appreciate their support," he said.

Vrabel reiterated his priorities, noting that family and the football team remain paramount. "My priorities are my family and this football team, in that order," he stated. "And there's a balance there that I am going to create and my family needs me this weekend and that's where I'll be. But I'm confident in the people that we have. I'm confident in the preparation."

The photos released earlier in the day appear to show Vrabel and Russini kissing from six years prior. The Patriots organization has also issued a statement in response to the controversy.