Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after photos with New York Times NFL reporter leak

New England Patriots HC Mike Vrabel joins Colin Cowherd to discuss the Patriots clinching the AFC East and being in the running for the 1-seed, Drake Maye and his MVP-caliber season, and building a culture in New England.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed recent photos that show him and New York Times and The Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini in bathing suits by a pool.

The photos, originally published by the New York Post's Page Six, also show the coach and journalist holding hands and hugging on the roof of a resort bungalow in Sedona, Arizona.

"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Vrabel told the Post. "This doesn’t deserve any further response."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel celebrates with members of his team after a touchdown during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Russini has also responded.

"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." Russini said.

The Athletic provided its own statement to the outlet.

"These photos are misleading and lack essential context," Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, said. "These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic."

PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL RESPONDS AFTER RUNNING BACK SEEMINGLY DEFENDS JADEN IVEY'S ANTI-LGBTQ REMARKS

New England Patriots head coach Mike