Things keep looking worse for New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, the former NFL insider for The Athletic.
On Wednesday, TMZ published a new report revealing the two took a private boat trip together back in 2021 when Russini was pregnant with her first child, who, ironically, is named Michael.
“The NFL duo booked the vessel in Putnam County, Tennessee back in June 2021 … according to a source with direct knowledge, who also says the then-Tennessee Titans head coach and the journalist were the only people onboard for their 2-to-3-hour rental,” TMZ reported.
“The timing of that outing might raise a few eyebrows, because Russini was pregnant at the time with her first child. Documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, show both signed the company waiver before heading out on a lake … and our source says there was no visible PDA before they departed.”
Despite the mounting evidence that Vrabel and Russini seemingly had a six-year long affair, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still backing his coach.
Drake Maye Doubles Down on Mike Vrabel Support
GettyHead coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye
Speaking to The Associated Press on Wednesday at the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte, North Carolina (Maye competed with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland on the back nine of the event), Maye addressed whether or not Vrabel’s off-field antics have been a distraction to the team.
“No, I don’t [think it will be a distraction],” Maye said. “I mean, he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.
“… I think that’ll take care of itself, I know he’s got the right mindset, and I know he’s a great human being. Like I said, I love playing for him.”
This is the second time Maye has publicly backed Vrabel amid the Russini scandal. Nearly a week ago, Maye made it clear he and the rest of his teammates weren’t holding the Russini stuff against him.
“We’re here for coach,” Maye said. “We love coach, what he does for us, what he’s done for us this past year — you can’t speak into words. Just thankful he’s our head coach, and we know he’s doing some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world, but we’re here for him and I know he’s going to come back.”
Vrabel’s Future as Patriots Coach Takes Another Hit
GettyMike Vrabel was all smiles at a 2026 Draft party
After details of the boating trip with Russini came out on Wednesday, the odds of Vrabel keeping his job took a sizable drop.
Vrabel’s odds of remaining the Patriots head coach for Week 1 on betting market Kalshi were 77%. But by Wednesday night, it had dropped to 64%. On Polymarket, Vrabel’s odds of being fired by Dec. 31 increased from 19% to 28%.
The NFL has already made it clear it has no plans to investigate the Vrabel-Russini situation — to the dismay of many football fans. The Patriots don’t seem keen on punishing Vrabel either.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently told ESPN’s Mike Greenberg that he’s leaving it up to the Patriots whether or not to investigate Vrabel and/or punish him.
“This is not a personal conduct policy, as we know it today. It’s a personal matter, and we’ll leave it at that,” Goodell recently said. “… I think the teams handle these matters when they’re personal matters. And they have a lot more information that can benefit everyone involved.”
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