The New England Patriots could reportedly issue a sort of private demand to former NFL insider Dianna Russini.
Russini, the now-former NFL insider for The Athletic, and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, have been spotted on multiple occasions over the course of the last six-plus years. They were first spotted earlier this year, at an adults-only Arizona resort. Since then, multiple photographs and videos have surfaced of Vrabel and Russini hanging out socially – and perhaps romantically – over the past seven years/
But Russini has yet to tell her side of the story. She maintained innocence during her resignation statement.
“Over a career spanning more than fifteen years in sports journalism — at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic — I have built a body of work I am proud of. I have broken stories, earned the trust of sources across the league, and been guided by the highest standards of professional conduct. That record speaks for itself,” she said.
“I remain grateful to The Athletic and for the extraordinary colleagues with whom I have worked there, for the platform it provided, and for the support you showed me during this difficult time. I wish you nothing but continued success.”
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In the wake of the scandal, Vrabel has remained the head coach of the New England Patriots – for now.
But that could change, depending on what else comes out.
NFL insider speculates Patriots could try to get Russini to sign an NDA
If the Patriots, or Vrabel specifically, don’t want Russini to tell her side of the story, they could try to get her to sign an NDA.
“Some sort of settlement agreement, with an NDA, would not be unprecedented in a situation like this,” NFL insider Mike Florio wrote in an NBCSports column, published on Monday, May 4. “Regardless, she has a story to tell. The first question is whether she’ll tell it. The next question is when. The ultimate question is what she’ll say.”
Russini and Vrabel are married to different people. Russini is married to Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt and they have two children together. Vrabel is married to his longtime wife, Jen, with whom he shares two children.
This story was originally published by The Spun on May 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
