'Coward' - NFL Fans Rip Mike Vrabel For Silence About Dianna Russini Situation
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is facing a considerable amount of backlash from the NFL world this weekend.
On April 7, Page Six shared photos of Vrabel spending time at a luxurious Arizona hotel with NFL insider Dianna Russini. A spy for the publication caught them "spending a leisurely hour or so together at the pool and lounging side-by-side in a hot tub." It didn't take long for Vrabel and Russini to fire back at any speculation about their relationship.
"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Vrabel told the New York Post. "These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable."
ESPN's Ben Strauss reported that Russini "coordinated with Vrabel" about how to respond to Page Six's story. A few days later, however, she resigned from her role with The Athletic.
"I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts," Russini said in a statement.
"Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now - before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career."
While Russini has been getting ripped apart on social media, Vrabel hasn't said anything since his initial statement.
Over the past few days, NFL fans have labeled Vrabel a "coward" for not issuing a follow-up statement.
"Not gonna lie Mike Vrabel is a huge coward for hiding in the shadows while Dianna Russini gets all the flak," one person wrote on X.
"Vrabel has always looked bad in this mess of course but he keeps looking worse and worse. Adding suspicion to what's really going on. Having it linger as we get closer and closer to the draft makes no sense," a second person added.
"Mike Vrabel is a coward," another fan declared. "Letting Russini take all the static while he hides."
"Don't know how you can be in a locker room lead by Mike Vrabel," a social media user wrote. "He's a coward and the very least, or a fraud at the very most."
The NFL won't discipline Vrabel.
The NFL's personal conduct policy states that coaches, executives and players must avoid "conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League."
Although this situation may have raised questions from the public, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN that Vrabel won't be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy.
Vrabel isn't scheduled to speak to the media until the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. It'll be interesting to see how he handles his next press conference.
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 1:58 PM.