Patriots' Mike Vrabel won't attend team's pre-draft presser after photos with NFL reporter emerge: report

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will reportedly skip the team’s pre-draft press conference this week as a spotlight on his relationship with NFL reporter Dianna Russini has gotten brighter.

The NFL is more than a week away from welcoming in the next crop of college football talent into the league. The Patriots have the No. 31 pick in the first round, which begins on April 23.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters at the NFL annual meetings in Phoenix on March 31, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

ESPN reported that Vrabel isn’t expected to talk to reporters until the draft. Patriots executive Eliot Wolf will hold the pre-draft news conference at 2 p.m. ET on Monday.

Photos emerged in Page Six last week showing Vrabel and Russini getting questionably close at an Arizona resort. While The Athletic initially defended Russini, sources familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that the journalist was being investigated.

"After Page Six reached out to Dianna for comment on Tuesday, The Athletic immediately began an investigation. While the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for Steven and leadership at The Athletic, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, specifically the presence of a larger group of friends," a source said.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 31, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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