Dianna Russini Resigns From The Athletic Amid Speculation About Her Relationship With Mike Vrabel

Dianna Russini, a veteran NFL reporter, has resigned from her position as Senior NFL Insider at The Athletic following the release of photos that allegedly show her getting close with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.

“I have come to this decision with deep sadness but with clarity about what is right for me, my family, and the work I have spent my career building,” she began in her letter of resignation to The Athletic’s Executive Editor, Steven Ginsberg, which she posted on her official X account on Tuesday, April 14.

Russini, 43, went on to write that she has “covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication” and that she stands by every story she’s published.

She then directly called out an April 7 report from Page Six in which photos of her and Vrabel, who are both married to other people, are seen holding hands, embracing and relaxing in the hot tub at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona.

Russini told the outlet that the photos lack the context of a larger friend group of six other people being present for the trip, while Vrabel added that the “photos show a completely innocent interaction.”

Ginsberg previously echoed their statements, telling Page Six on April 7, “we’re proud to have her” at the site, which is a division of The New York Times.

In her resignation letter, Russini thanked The Athletic for standing by her when the report came out.

“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” she wrote. “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete.”

“It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” Russini concluded.

In a memo to staff following her resignation, Ginsberg allegedly clarified the situation, per an April 14 report in Page Six.

“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter,” the journalist wrote. “As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”

Despite her resignation, that review appears to still be underway, per Page Six.

Ruussini married Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020. They have two children. Vrabel, 50, meanwhile, married his college sweetheart, Jen roughly 26 years ago. They have two sons.