Patriots' Mike Vrabel responds to new Dianna Russini report, shares Christian Gonzalez Week 1 update

On Thursday, The Athletic published a lengthy and detailed report on the findings of a standards review regarding the relationship between longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

Later in the day, Vrabel spoke with media members and was asked if he had a reaction to the story as he and his team prepare for the Super Bowl rematch at the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9. 

Mike Vrabel "focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots" after latest Dianna Russini update

"No, I don't have any reaction," Vrabel said, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. "We're moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week."

The much-discussed scandal involving Vrabel and Russini, who are married to other people, began when it was learned that they had spent time together at an Arizona resort in late March. On Thursday, The Athletic editorial director for standards and quality Mike Semel shared that he never "found a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to help promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at The Athletic." 

Vrabel dancing around Russini-related questions has become a common occurrence during Patriots news conferences. While he spent the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft away from the Patriots so that he could participate in counseling, Semel said that "we neither completed an investigation nor reached any conclusion about the nature of the full relationship between Vrabel and Russini." 

Russini resigned from her role covering the NFL for The Athletic in April. 

Mike Vrabel expects this from Christian Gonzalez

Meanwhile, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez still has two years remaining on his existing contract amid his desire to receive a lucrative extension. He missed practice time in August due to an alleged injury that many assume was related to his contract saga, and history shows such issues "flare up" for players who don't sign extensions before Week 1. 

"I expect every player that's healthy and under contract to practice and to play," Vrabel said about Gonzalez, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. "And again, that may change based on my conversations with different players and the plan that they have each and every day when you talk about practice, or what the plan may be for the football game. So that goes with this situation, and anybody else that would fall underneath that. That's what our expectations are."

According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Vrabel also "said little about Gonzalez’s" contract situation. 

"He's a valuable member of this football team," Vrabel added about Gonzalez. "We'll continue to have discussions, and I don't have anything else to add about the contract."

Gonzalez and the Patriots were reportedly "getting close" to an agreement earlier this week, but the two sides seemingly still have to work out "several elements of the deal." It sounds like questions about Gonzalez's Week 1 availability could continue to hover over the Patriots through at least the start of the Labor Day holiday weekend.