Fans Calling For Patriots' Mike Vrabel To Resign After Scandal Gets Worse originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Mike Vrabel had already addressed the media about the pictures that were released of him with Dianna Russini earlier this month, but more pictures have surfaced.On Thursday, the day of Round 1 of the NFL Draft, old pictures of Vrabel and Russini from six years ago came to light. Vrabel and Russini were seen getting close at a bar in March 2020, and an eyewitness told Page Six that “they were kissing and they were all over each other.” The pictures were released shortly after Vrabel told ESPN that he would miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to attend counseling."Page Six contacted both Vrabel and Russini on Wednesday afternoon regarding the photos," Page Six read on Thursday.
"While neither commented for this story, Vrabel told ESPN just hours later that he will miss day three of the NFL draft to enter counseling."The new pictures do not look good for the Patriots' head coach. In fact, fans are calling for him to resign from his position."Vrabel needs to resign immediately!" one fan wrote on X."Mike Vrabel should resign immediately," another fan wrote on X. "This is an outrage.""I think Mike Vrabel needs to resign as patriots head coach this scandal is affecting his job as head coach," another fan wrote on X.If Vrabel was in fact having an affair, then it would have more of an impact on life outside of football than his job as the Patriots' head coach.
However, the sentiment online seems to be that this has ruined his image, and it will be hard for players to respect him. Vrabel has preached accountability and a family atmosphere on his teams. However, after this scandal, it may seem hypocritical for him to preach those things.Vrabel has not commented on the new images released on Thursday.
However, he was married at the time the pictures were said to have been taken. Russini has already resigned from her position at The Athletic.However, Russini crossed professional boundaries if the two were in fact having an affair. She was covering the NFL, and an affair with an NFL head coach would be considered unethical in the realm of journalism.
As for Vrabel, he did not cross a professional boundary by having an affair with a reporter. However, he may have hurt his image and will have to deal with discourse outside of football.More NFL: Patriots Mock Draft 2026: Final 7-Round Edition Focuses on New England's Defense