Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel offered a terse response Thursday when asked about The Athletic's conclusion to its internal investigation into former NFL insider Dianna Russini. The probe, which wrapped up this week, found Russini noncompliant with company standards, but Vrabel made it clear he's ready to turn the page.
"No, I don't have any reaction," Vrabel said. "We're moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week."
The Athletic announced Thursday that Russini, who resigned amid the Vrabel photos scandal earlier this year, was not compliant with company standards. The report stated, "Specifically, when it comes to The Athletic's standards, Russini was noncompliant."
However, the investigation did not determine the full extent of the Russini-Vrabel relationship. It remains officially unclear whether the two were romantically involved or just socially, as both are married with children. Vrabel sought counseling after the scandal broke.
The report noted, "We neither completed an investigation nor reached any conclusion about the nature of the full relationship between Vrabel and Russini, but the totality of the public photographs are enough to conclude a violation of company policy."
The Athletic did not find that Russini's relationship with Vrabel impacted her reporting, but it criticized her for not disclosing the relationship. "Russini should have disclosed to The Athletic the nature of her relationship with Vrabel to allow editors to assess the kinds of stories on which she should have been working, if any," the investigation stated. "She did not."
Russini has since declared she is "no longer a journalist" and has largely withdrawn from the public eye. Her next move remains a topic of speculation, with some questioning whether she'll return to the industry.
Vrabel's focus is squarely on the upcoming season. The Patriots open the year next week against the Seahawks, and the coach is determined to keep the distraction from derailing his team's preparation. His dismissal of the topic echoes his earlier sidestepping of questions about his personal life.
Some around the league have offered advice on how to handle the scrutiny. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin recently shared his perspective on how Vrabel can silence the noise, emphasizing a focus on football.
As the Patriots gear up for their opener, Vrabel's message is clear: the past is behind him, and the only thing that matters is what happens on the field.
