Patriots star breaks silence on Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini controversy

New England Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is voicing his support for head coach Mike Vrabel amid the controversy with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini.

Of course, Vrabel and Russini were caught holding hands and hugging at a high-end Arizona resort after photos came to light in a Page Six report last month.

That led to accusations of an affair, and that affair has since been confirmed after more photos surfaced showing the pair kissing six years ago in a New York bar.

Despite Vrabel’s issues, Gonzalez, who took part in a celebrity softball event for charity on Saturday, is showing support for his head coach.

“We aren’t going to speak on what we talked about inside the building, but I mean, that’s my coach,” Gonzalez said to reporters after the event. “That’s who I go out and play for, and he’s proven what he can do as a coach.”

“That’s my guy, and I’m right behind Vrabes any time of day,” Gonzalez added.

Vrabel has always been popular with his players dating back to his days as the Tennessee Titans’ head coach, so it’s no surprise his players have his back.

The controversy, while certainly unfortunate, also has no real bearing on his status as the team’s head coach and has been a much bigger issue for the professional life of Russini.

The latest on Mike Vrabel

Things have naturally quieted down a bit since the aforementioned photos came to light.

Mike Vrabel admitted wrongdoing when addressing reporters before the NFL Draft and said he would seek counseling.

“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” he said. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.”

Vrabel missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, April 25, to attend counseling and reportedly returned to work a few days later on Monday.

At a recent Q&A with season-ticket holders, Vrabel reportedly received a standing ovation, so he has seen plenty of support from both his players and fans.

While there has been speculation that perhaps Vrabel would step away from the team, there has been no clear indication that will happen.

There was a report, however, that stated the Patriots are at least mulling over possible replacements just in case that happens.

Page Six reported on April 29 that Vrabel and his wife, Jen, were together in Utah on April 26 and had dinner together.

“They were cordial and talkative, but not overly flirty,” a source said to Page Six. “They seemed fine. It was a friendly, regular meal.”

The latest on Dianna Russini

As for Russini, she resigned from The Athletic and has been radio silent since posting her resignation letter on social media. She also deleted her X account.

There was a story after the scandal broke that Russini had saved an elderly man from his car after an accident unfolded in front of her in New Jersey, but new information suggests that may not have happened after all.

Executive editor of The Athletic, Steven Ginsberg, who threw his support behind Russini in the immediate aftermath of the photos being released, has since admitted that “communications could have been more clear” in a statement to employees of the company.