Patriots coach Mike Vrabel seeks counseling amid Dianna Russini photo scandal
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has been raked over recent photos released of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
Vrabel said he will leave the team to seek counseling. However, he embroiled the Patriots in a PR disaster that began when he vehemently denied that the release of the first photo of him and Russini at a resort in Arizona showed anything untoward. He dismissed it as “completely innocent dealings.”
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel stands on the field before the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., on Jan. 25, 2026. (Photos by Ron Chenoy/Imagn)
Former San Diego Chargers quarterback Shawne Merriman weighed in on his reaction in an interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday. He said he didn't think the dark cloud surrounding Vrabel would disrupt the best team in football, but his job depends on what message the organization wants to send.
“This is my thing when it comes to that,” Merriman said. “He didn't break any rules first, right? This is something wrong maybe wrong. Something he will face when it comes to that. I don't believe, in my opinion, I don't believe that this will be a distraction for football. This will have to be, internally, that, we don't want to deal with it because that sends a message about it, but it affects the way the coach will touch them in the qualifiers. trained, how they listen to him and follow him, and how Vrabel leads.
“Smart ball, I don't think it does anything. It depends on what message you want to send by going forward with him. That's all I can say.”
Dianna Russini, left, and Mike Vrabel, right, are shown in a separate composite photo featuring Russini with an ESPN microphone and Vrabel on the Titans sidelines wearing a headset. (Photographs)
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Page Six and TMZ published new rounds of photos of Vrabel-Russini earlier Thursday. It sparked a pre-draft press conference from Vrabel.
“My past actions do not meet the standard I hold myself to,” said Vrabel. “My priorities are my family and this football team, that way. And there's a balance I'm going to build.”
At the end of the news conference, Vrabel was asked to explain why he initially made a statement calling photos of him and Russini at a resort in Arizona “laughable” after they were published by the New York Post in early April.
“That's a private and personal matter. I don't think that comment… was an attempt to protect your family,” Vrabel said.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel celebrates after the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High in Denver, Colo., on Jan. 25, 2026. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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It was the last question Vrabel answered before he stormed the podium and left the room.
Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
