The story of Dianna Russini and her personal connections with NFL head coaches just got a whole lot bigger. It turns out Mike Vrabel wasn't the only sideline boss she was close with. Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos head coach, also had a cozy rapport with the former Athletic insider—one that involved multiple voicemails and plenty of behind-the-scenes chatter.
Let's rewind. Russini, a well-known NFL reporter, found herself at the center of a firestorm after leaked photos showed her hanging out with Vrabel at a New York City bar in 2020. That came on the heels of a Page Six report detailing their rendezvous at an adults-only resort in Arizona just before the 2026 league meetings. Vrabel, now the Patriots head coach, has since apologized, admitting he had “difficult” conversations with his family. Russini, meanwhile, resigned from The Athletic amid an investigation into her conduct.
But here's the twist: Russini didn't just have one close relationship. During a 2025 appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, she casually revealed that Payton had been leaving her voicemails, checking in on her. “You understand why he does the things he does and how he operates and when he’s in love,” Russini said. “He’s in love with this team right now. Even this summer, coach reached out to me a few times checking in. I missed the call, which, how do you miss a head coaching call? But it happens.”
She laughed and added, “He left me a voicemail. I gotta see if I still have it.” According to Russini, Payton's message was simple: “I love my Q”—meaning his quarterback—and then he hung up. “Who does that?” she joked. When they eventually caught up, Payton told her, “Di, I love this team. Wait 'til you see.”
Russini has defended her actions, arguing that close personal relationships with sources are par for the course in sports journalism. In her resignation letter, she wrote, “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.”
Still, the fallout has been messy. The Athletic launched an investigation into Russini's behavior, and the results are pending. The scandal has also sparked broader questions about the boundaries between reporters and the people they cover. As Pablo Torre revealed a pool party rivalry behind the Vrabel-Russini scandal, the sports world is left wondering where professionalism ends and personal life begins.
For Vrabel, the drama hasn't let up. The Patriots are on alert after reports suggested his edge is fading following the leak. A report indicated that Vrabel's edge is fading after the Russini leak, and fans are watching closely. Meanwhile, Russini has deleted her Twitter account after facing backlash—a move that some see as a retreat, while others, like Big Cat, think she has a second act coming.
As for Payton, he hasn't commented publicly on the voicemails, but the Broncos are riding high this season. Whether this revelation affects his standing remains to be seen. One thing's for sure: Russini's web of NFL connections was deeper than anyone imagined, and the ripple effects are still being felt.
