Mike Vrabel will have no choice but to address the Dianna Russini drama with his New England Patriots team, a former NFL player has reportedly claimed.
The Patriots head coach has been at the center of a major scandal this month after photos emerged of him holding hands and embracing sports reporter Russini at an adults-only resort in Arizona.
The pair, who are both married, have denied having an affair and instead downplayed what the images appeared to depict.
Yet on Tuesday it was announced that Russini has resigned from her job at The Athletic amid an investigation into the matter, with the under-fire writer hitting out at speculation that is ‘simply unmoored from the facts’ on her way out.
And in light of her resignation, NBC Sports Boston reporter Michael Holley has revealed an unnamed ex-player told him that Vrabel’s Patriots team will demand an explanation in the locker room.
‘I talked to a former player and he said, “The hell they won’t want answers,”‘ Holley said live on air when discussing the Vrabel-Russini drama.
Mike Vrabel may be forced to address the Dianna Russini drama with his Patriots players
Russini has resigned from The Athletic amid the storm around her and the New England coach
‘”You think Mike Vrabel can just brush this under the rug without talking to the players? Coaching don’t treat us like they treat the media.”
‘I think Vrabel will have to say something to his team. I think he’s gonna have to answer to something that’s been in the news for a while. For his credibility he’s gonna have to say something to the team.’
Unlike for Russini, it is still very much ‘business as usual’ for Vrabel ahead of next week’s NFL Draft, according to Patriots EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf.
Wolf confirmed earlier this week that Vrabel is still a major part of the decision making for the upcoming draft in Pittsburgh.
‘[Mike is] very involved. Business as usual,’ he said in a press conference.
‘He’s been in there with us probably this round of meetings a little bit more than last year.’
Russini took aim at the controversy in her exit statement after leaving The Athletic, saying in a letter to to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg: ”I do so [resign] 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 is still expected to attend the NFL Draft as expected for the Patriots next week
‘I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published.’
‘This media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete,’ she added.
‘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.’