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NFL Declines to Investigate Vrabel as Patriots Stay Silent

James Rodriguez 0 comments 8 min read
NFL Declines to Investigate Vrabel as Patriots Stay Silent

The NFL will not open an investigation into New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel following the emergence of photos showing him at an Arizona resort with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini, the league confirmed Saturday.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Associated Press the league sees no grounds for a probe. The Patriots organization has not yet stated whether it will conduct its own internal review of the matter.

The New York Post published the photos last week, showing Vrabel and Russini at a Sedona hotel before the NFL meetings began in Phoenix on March 29. Both subjects of the images are married.

In response to publication, Vrabel and Russini each released statements minimizing the significance of what the photos captured. Russini subsequently resigned from her position.

Russini, who had joined The Athletic in 2023, announced her departure in a brief letter that emphasized her professional track record. "I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published," she wrote. At The Athletic, she hosted a podcast and appeared on the outlet's video platform after spending nearly a decade at ESPN in roles ranging from SportsCenter anchor to NFL analyst and insider.

Vrabel is preparing for his second season leading the Patriots. Last year he became AP NFL Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a 14-3 regular season record, though the Patriots fell 29-13 to Seattle in the Super Bowl. The 50-year-old previously won the same award with Tennessee in 2021. As a player, he won three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots.

The NFL's personal conduct policy requires that "everyone who is part of the league must refrain from conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in" the organization. That standard did not trigger league action in this case.

Author James Rodriguez: "The NFL's quick pass on this one feels like institutional caution winning out over scrutiny, but the Patriots' silence speaks volumes about internal discomfort."

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