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Mike Vrabel## New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has spoken about Mike Vrabel for the first time since his scandal with reporter Dianna Russini, as he was under huge pressure from the fallout
07:00 ET, 18 Jul 2026
Mike Vrabel appears to have saved himself from being fired after the Dianna Russini scandal this offseason, with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft giving him his full backing.
The Patriots' head coach was under significant pressure after it had emerged that he appeared to be having an affair with NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Images were initially released of the two holding hands and hugging at a high-end, adult-only resort in Arizona. A few weeks later, more images from 2020 showed them together, when Vrabel was head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Vrabel and Russini were also pictured together, apparently renting a private boat in 2021. Vrabel has danced around both apologizing and confirming the affair, while looking to keep the matter as private as possible. Vrabel and Russini are both married to their respective partners.
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He had faced calls to step down from his role, as Russini resigned from being a reporter at The Athletic.
But Kraft has spoken glowingly of his head coach, who had a previous playing career with the team, while taking them to a Super Bowl this past season. Kraft said this week: "Well, we’re privileged to have Mike as our head coach.
"You know, no one is infallible. And what’s great about Mike is he has great intellectual knowledge about football — all the technical skills. He relates to the players beautifully.
“And he’s someone I have a strong belief and faith in. And I hope he’s going to be our head coach for many years to come.”
This is the first time that Kraft has spoken on Vrabel since the scandal became public in April. Speaking in his only press conference since the scandal, Vrabel had said: "I want to reiterate the gratitude you guys have shown to my private matter.
"I take accountability for my actions and the actions and distractions that hurt the people I care most about - my family and this football team, the organization and our fans.
"My previous actions do not meet the standards I hold myself too. I think the best steps is for myself and this football team is for us to work together and give them what I told them I would - the best version of me. I want to give them the best version of me possible.
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"That has started and it will continue however long it takes. I will give them the best version of me possible. I am thankful for the coaches and their support. I am thankful for the players for their support, I appreciate each and every one of them.
"My priorities are for my family and this football team. In that order.
"I am focussed on this team moving forward and out of respect of my family, I won't have any more answers to touch on."
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Mike Vrabel
New England Patriots
NFL