Deanna Russini has only shared her thoughts outside of an official statement regarding her alleged affair with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, and it seems she wishes she hadn’t. The former NFL insider for The Athletic mentioned to the New York Times that she faced significant scrutiny and personal attacks following Page Six’s report about her and Vrabel spending time together at a resort in Arizona.
In her text to the owner of The Athletic in May, Russini expressed how much this situation had impacted her both professionally and personally. She identified herself again as a former journalist, hinting at how overwhelming the whole experience has been for her.
At 43, Russini requested a New York Times reporter not to quote her, but the reporter noted that she hadn’t agreed to off-the-record discussions. This led to her directly emailing The Athletic’s publisher, expressing her desire to avoid any quotes.
As the situation gained traction in the media, these comments mark the only insight into Russini’s thoughts since her resignation in April. Both she and Vrabel are married with families and are still together with their respective spouses.
Page Six first released a photo of the pair at a pool in Sedona, Arizona, where they appeared to be sitting closely together. Russini contested that the photo didn’t imply any crossing of boundaries, stating she was among friends, as someone close to her relayed.
Vrabel, 50, made a statement downplaying the photo, calling any assumptions laughable and unworthy of further discussion. The editor-in-chief of The Athletic, Steve Ginsburg, initially stood by Russini, claiming the images were misleading and lacked important context. He emphasized that these interactions happened publicly and that the organization took pride in her journalism.
However, as the investigation by The Athletic unfolded, additional photographs of the duo emerged, culminating in Russini’s resignation on April 14. This scrutiny included a 2020 photo of them kissing at a bar while she was with ESPN and he was coaching the Titans, alongside images of them on a boat in 2021 when she was expecting her first child.
In her resignation letter to Ginsburg, Russini defended her journalistic ethics amid what she described as a wave of attacks. She conveyed her decision with sadness, emphasizing the importance of her family and her career. She felt that engaging further with the media frenzy would only exacerbate the situation and distract from her professional integrity.
Ginsburg later confirmed her resignation in a note to staff, detailing the company’s response to the evolving circumstances. He expressed initial concerns but indicated that the focus was on supporting Russini until the situation escalated.
While Russini departed from her position, it’s noted that Vrabel managed to avoid repercussions from the NFL and the Patriots. He, however, missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft and was undergoing counseling.
In comments ahead of the draft, Vrabel acknowledged his actions did not align with his personal standards. He stated that his priorities remained his family and the football team, emphasizing the need for balance and dedication to both.
Later, when asked about his previous dismissal of the report, Vrabel took a more somber approach, labeling the situation a private matter and reiterating that protecting his family was paramount.
