The Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel saga has now pulled in a new name, and it isn’t going well for him.
The chaotic scandal, which began in early April 2026 when Page Six published steamy photos of the New England Patriots head coach and former NFL reporter together at an exclusive Arizona resort, has not slowed down.
But the biggest bombshell landed on Thursday. TMZ Sports obtained video and signed waiver documents showingVrabel and Russini rented a private boat togetherin Putnam County, Tennessee, in June 2021. It was reportedly a two-to-three-hour trip on the lake, and Russini was approximately six to seven months pregnant with her first child at the time.
That’s the backdrop that prompted sports commentator Max Kellerman to go on the offensive against the press covering the story. Folks don’t like his stance on the active cheating scandal.
Max Kellerman goes off on media after Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel drama reaches new heights
That’s the backdrop that prompted sports commentator Max Kellerman to go on the offensive — not against Vrabel or Russini, but against the press covering the story. On a recent broadcast, Kellerman, who previously worked alongside Russini at ESPN, argued the media was using journalistic ethics as cover to traffic in salacious content, and that both families were being put through unnecessary public pain.
New England Patriots Mike Vrabel
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel leaves the field at halftime against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“It’s so disgusting to me because, especially the latest — it comes across my reels, and I’ve worked with Dianna Russini,” Kellermansaid. “And there’s pictures and the press is trying to create a timeline where when they might have been cheating.”
Rich Paul tells max kellerman hes minding his business after max goes on a rant on how the media is targeting his former espn colleague dianna russini after her affair with mike vrabel and the 7 month pregnant story pic.twitter.com/xb0TEZywOc
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Thechat101) May 8, 2026
He added, “So without regard to how this affects their spouses, their children, they’re putting these families through hell under the guise of journalistic integrity and ethics — where in fact that is just an excuse to put out salacious stuff. Shame on the media for covering it the way they are.”
While acknowledging that a reporter dating an NFL head coach raises valid conflict-of-interest questions, Kellerman argued this framing is used as a cover for gossip. He claimed critics are not focusing on professional bias, but rather using it as an excuse to indulge in the affair’s sensational details.
Fans turn on Max Kellerman as backlash mounts over his defense of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini
The online backlash was fast and nearly universal. Most people today are quick to criticize anyone seen as supporting Russia.
“Did the 2 suspects care about how it would affect their spouses and children? Gtfoh Max,” one userwrote.
Anotheradded, “Mike and Dianna are the ones putting their families through hell.”
A thirdpenned, “Dianna Russini put her family through hell, not the media.”
The fourth one called Kellerman’s take fundamentally dishonest,noting, “I’m disappointed in Max… this is such a disingenuous take.”
Another went further,posting, “Maybe don’t cheat and get caught, then your spouse and children won’t be hurt lol — but it’s the media’s fault.”
One X user bluntlywrote, “Shame on you.”
Russini has gone radio silent since resigning from The Athletic on April 14. Vrabel, meanwhile, has acknowledged tough family conversations while not directly confirming the affair. He is still expected to coach the Patriots in 2026 for now becauserumors on the internet are not his side.