Leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, the biggest story had nothing to do with Fernando Mendoza or any other draft prospect. Instead, it’s been a scandal involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former reporter for The Athletic Dianna Russini that has dominated the media conversation.

In addition to Russini’s professional career taking a major hit, Vrabel’s reputation has been negatively affected and both of their family lives’ have been impacted in a big way. Vrabel finally addressed the situation this week, taking accountability for his actions while not outright rejecting the rumors.

Right before the first round kicked off on Thursday night, Vrabel once again addressed the media, saying that his family needs him this weekend. Therefore, he won’t be present for the Patriots’ draft process on Saturday – but he will be there on Thursday and Friday night.

Dianna Russini goes ghost on social media amidst Mike Vrabel scandal

Just as Vrabel was getting set to make his statement to the media on Thursday night, Russini made a non-verbal statement of her own: She deleted her X account and went private on Instagram.

Russini has been more negatively impacted by this scandal than Vrabel, but the head coach is starting to really feel the heat now. More old pictures of the two together surfaced on Thursday, and there may very well be more coming as the days pass by.

For now, Vrabel remains the head coach of the Patriots. It would likely take more incriminating evidence and more public outrage for him to have to step down.