The saga surrounding New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini just keeps churning. TMZ dropped a new video on Thursday that shows the pair getting ready for a boat outing in Tennessee back in June 2021 — and the timing is raising eyebrows because Russini was pregnant with her first child at the time.
The footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, captures Russini walking ahead while Vrabel trails a few feet behind. At one point, she turns to chat with him, and it's clear she's about six to seven months along. Both are dressed casually in T-shirts and shorts as they make their way toward the lake.
According to TMZ, the pair signed a company waiver before heading out, and a source said there was no visible public display of affection before they departed. The report also notes that Vrabel and Russini seemed cautious about photos being taken. Russini declined to pose with staff, while Vrabel agreed to one picture but allegedly asked that it not be posted publicly.
This latest revelation comes after Page Six ignited a firestorm earlier this month by sharing photos of Vrabel and Russini holding hands at a hotel in Arizona. Weeks later, images from March 2020 surfaced showing what appeared to be a kiss between the two at a New York City bar.
Despite the mounting scrutiny, the Patriots organization has publicly backed their head coach. The team issued a statement ahead of the NFL Draft expressing full support for Vrabel's decision to prioritize his family and well-being. Quarterback Drake Maye also stood by his coach, telling reporters, “We know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.”
Not everyone is buying the team's unified front. Some fans have blasted Maye for coddling Vrabel amid the scandal, while others have questioned whether the Patriots should move on from their head coach entirely. Prediction markets have even suggested Vrabel's tenure in New England could be at risk.
Meanwhile, Jen Vrabel is reportedly horrified as her husband's personal life becomes a public spectacle. And Boston media has faced criticism for going easy on the Vrabel-Russini scandal.
For now, Vrabel remains at the helm of the Patriots, but with each new video or photo, the pressure only intensifies. The NFL world will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds.
