What Mike Vrabel reportedly said to Patriots players amid ongoing Dianna Russini controversy

On Tuesday, Mike Vrabel spoke publicly with reporters for the first time since photos surfaced showing the New England Patriots head coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini spending time together at an Arizona resort in late March.

During that media session, Vrabel revealed that he had a candid conversation with Patriots players at the start of the team's offseason program. Later, Patriots and NFL reporter Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared what Vrabel did and didn't say to his team. 

Mike Vrabel apologized to Patriots players as Dianna Russini controversy hovers over team

"My understanding is that [Vrabel] led with it, as he stood in front of them Monday, quickly apologizing for bringing unwanted attention to the team," Breer wrote. "He promised that he’d make it right and do all he could to put the focus back on the players. To those in the room, he came off as genuine and remorseful, and maybe most of all, relatable."

Vrabel and Russini are both married to other people. While the two previously denied any wrongdoing related to the much-discussed Page Six story, Russini later resigned from her role of covering the NFL for The Athletic. 

For a letter related to that decision, Russini wrote that she did not "accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode" but had decided to "refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career." Vrabel went down a different route both publicly and privately this week. 

On Tuesday, Vrabel said that he "had some difficult conversations with people that I care about." He also noted that those associated with the Patriots "have to make good decisions." 

"That includes me," Vrabel added. 

Why Mike Vrabel felt he needed to address the Dianna Russini matter with his players

"Vrabel has preached accountability to his players, the same way most coaches do," Breer explained. "In each meeting room in Foxborough, there’s a sign that reminds players to make great decisions on and off the field. If he’s not accountable to that message with his players, then he risks his words starting to ring hollow. So the fact that he immediately took accountability with the players, at the first point he had them all together, was always going to be the right thing to do. And now, even if Vrabel can’t personally, his players can start to move past this." 

It remains to be seen if this situation will impact how Vrabel serves as the leader of the reigning AFC champions. Eventually, Patriots players will be asked awkward questions about a story that doesn't directly involve them. How they react could say plenty about their feelings regarding what continues to be one of the more unexpected storylines of this NFL offseason.