The Patriots could target Mike Tomlin as Mike Vrabelâs replacement if fallout from the Dianna Russini photo story worsens, according to a new report Monday. The New England Patriots have given no public sign that Vrabel’s job is in danger. Behind closed doors, according to the new report, however, the conversation has already turned to who would replace the coach who took the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first year.
A team insider told Daily Mail reporters Russ Weakland and Ben Nagle that owner Robert Kraft has begun eyeing potential successors in the event that the fallout from the Russini photo scandal becomes too damaging to contain. The name at the top of that list was Tomlin, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach.
“The Krafts are extremely loyal and have no intention of firing Mike, nor do they want to see him quit over all this drama,” the insider told the Mail. “But if these upcoming few months go haywire, and if they are put in a situation of no return, either with the team not doing well or the drama of Mike’s family issues taking over and forcing a decision on Mike’s coaching future, the one person that they would seek to replace him would be Mike Tomlin.”
The key takeaway: ownership does not want to fire Vrabel, but a contingency plan may already exist.
Vrabel, the Patriots, and the Russini Scandal
The controversy traces back to April 7, when Page Six of the New York Post published photographs of Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini together at the Ambiente resort, an adults-only property in Sedona, Arizona, where nightly rates exceed $2,500. The images showed the two embracing, relaxing poolside, and sharing breakfast alone. Both denied any improper relationship, and Vrabel called any allegations to the contrary “laughable.”
The New York Times, parent company of The Athletic where Russini was an NFL reporter, launched an investigation. Russini was subsequently placed on leave before resigning from her position earlier this month, ahead of a contract expiration set for the end of June.
In her exit statement, Russini pushed back on the storyline surrounding her departure.
“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode,” she said, “but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Vrabel held an emotional press conference in which he acknowledged having “difficult conversations” with people close to him and confirmed he had entered counseling. The Patriots organization issued a statement backing him and praising his decision to prioritize family and personal well-being.
Tomlin and One Complication That Could Block Patriots
The possibility of replacing Vrabel instantly raises one major question: would Tomlin leave television for a fast-track return to coaching?
Tomlin, 54, spent 19 seasons in Pittsburgh before stepping away after the 2025 campaign. He ranks among the winningest coaches in NFL history. He also delivered Pittsburgh its most recent Lombardi Trophy, winning Super Bowl XLIII following the 2008 season.
Tomlin has since moved into broadcasting. NBC officially announced over the weekend that he will join “Football Night in America” as an analyst for the upcoming NFL season, according to Men’s Journal reporter Matt Audilet. That commitment introduces a meaningful obstacle to any Patriots pursuit. The Daily Mail source acknowledged that if Tomlin elected to stay in television, New England would shift its attention to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as a contingency option.
“But that is a situation that they don’t even want to consider after initial thoughts,” the insider said of the McDaniels scenario.
The source was unambiguous that removing Vrabel is not what ownership wants. “The Krafts will ride it out with Mike Vrabel till the wheels fall off,” the insider told the Mail. “They are very much interested in putting all of this in the rearview.”
According to the Daily Mail source, Vrabel is now “drowning himself in work” while hoping the scandal passes. His commitment to counseling is expected to continue for as long as it takes. The source also said Vrabel feels guilty over Russini’s fate, with the longtime NFL reporter facing the possible end of her career over the ongoing story.
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