Mike Vrabel addresses reporters at 2026 NFL Draft after new Dianna Russini photos

Hours after Page Six published photos of Mike Vrabel and sports reporter Dianna Russini kissing at a New York City bar six years ago, the Patriots head coach addressed the media, but remained tight-lipped about the scandal.

“I take accountability for my actions and for the actions that caused distraction to the people that I care most about — my family, this football team, the organization and the fans,” a somber Vrabel said during a pre-NFL draft press conference Thursday.

“My previous actions don’t meet the standards that I hold myself to, they don’t — and I think it’s best for the two most important things in my life — my family and my football team — is for us to take the necessary steps to work together and to get done what I told them I’d give them, which is the best version of me.”

The coach — who was photographed at an Arizona hotel in March with Russini — added that his “family needs me this weekend and that’s where I’ll be.”

Vrabel continuously reiterated that the Patriots and his family — wife Jen Vrabel and his two sons — were his priorities.

He concluded that he’s “focused on this team moving forward” and out of respect for his family, won’t be commenting anymore.

Just before addressing the photos, he thanked fans for their support.

“You guys came, thank you so much. the support that you’ve shown our football team, our organization, me personally, I thank you.”

Vrabel — who was married to wife Jen Vrabel at the time the March 2020 snaps were taken — announced a temporary leave of absence earlier this week, over our first batch of pictures showing the duo holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort in March.

“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,” Mike, 50, told ESPN.

“In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” he continued. “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.”

Mike clarified that while he would be in contact with the Patriots staff, he would not be present for Day 3 the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.

Instead, he would be outside of Massachusetts with his college sweetheart, whom he wed in 1999, and their two sons.

In light of the news, the Patriots released the following statement to Page Six:

“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being. Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.

“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and [football executive] Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”

The Patriots hold 11 selections and have the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Earlier this week, Mike appeared at a pre-draft presser at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where he finally broke his silence on the recent headlines.

He spoke about the “difficult conversations” he’d had with his family, calling the talks “positive and productive.”

The retired outside linebacker vowed to bring his loved ones — as well as his colleagues and players — the “best version” of himself “going forward.”

He added, “In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me.”

Mike dodged questions about the scandal after his speech, telling press, “I appreciate your job and what you guys have got to do, but I have to make my comments and what I answer about our football team.”

When photos of Mike and Russini, 43, first surfaced on April 7, the latter claimed, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

She subsequently resigned from the New York Times’ the Athletic, writing in her resignation letter, “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.”

Vrabel, for his part, insisted, “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

The two claimed they were with friends, although multiple eyewitnesses told us otherwise.

Page Six released additional pictures on Wednesday of Vrabel and Russini having breakfast at the luxury Arizona hotel.

As for the 2020 photos published Thursday, Vrabel — in addition to appearing to kiss Russini — sat close to the reporter at the Tribeca Tavern bar with his hand on her leg and arm.

Russini was six months shy of walking down the aisle with then-fiancé Kevin Goldschmidt at the time, with whom she now shares two sons.

“They were kissing and they were all over each other,” a source told us. “They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly.”

Reps for Vrabel and Russini have yet to comment on the latest headline-making snaps.