Rival Scout: Mike Vrabel Has Support From Patriots

Like it or not, the soap opera regarding journalist Dianna Russini’s involvement with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is ongoing. Just last week, the New York Timespublished its investigation into Russini’s actions when she was working for The Athletic (which is owned by the Times). While the news is not good for Russini, at least one NFL scout is confident that nothing about this story will distract from the Patriots’ focus on defending their AFC title.

The story has been somewhat of a distraction for Vrabel during the offseason. After Vrabel and Russini — both of whom are married — denied any romantic relationship, Vrabel announced on April 22 that he would not be with the team for the second and third days of the NFL Draft because he would be attending counseling with his family.

Vrabel, entering his second season as the Patriots head coach after winning the AFC East last year and taking the team to the Super Bowl, has repeatedly told media that he’s no longer talking about the story and he’s focused on football. New England’s players have said the same thing, and one rival NFL scout told Athlon Sports that he believes the team is fully behind its coach.

“From what I’ve heard, the locker room has Mike Vrabel’s back,” said the anonymous scout. His comments appear in the Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview magazine, which is available online and at newsstands nationwide.

“The scandal wasn’t a good look, obviously, and raises serious questions about his poor judgment and blurs the lines about journalistic integrity,” the scout continued. “The bottom line, though, is that he’s a strong leader. Winning matters the most, not morals, and the league isn’t planning to punish Vrabes. If they’re off to a good start, this story eventually fades.”