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- The Athletic had investigated Mr. Russini for possible conflicts of interest.
- Russini said he stepped back to avoid “media frenzy” and “self-serving speculation.”
NFL reporter Deanna Russini resigned from her position at The Athletic on April 14, just one week after a photo of her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in a glossy report on Arizona was published in the New York Post.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand by every article I have ever published. When the Page Six article first appeared, the Athletic unequivocally supported me and expressed confidence in my work and pride in journalism, and for that I am grateful,” Russini’s resignation letter to The Athletic’s editor-in-chief Stephen Ginsburg, which he shared on social media, read in part.
“In the days that have followed, unfortunately, various media commentators have advanced self-serving speculation that is completely detached from the facts. Moreover, this media frenzy has proceeded at breakneck speed in disregard of the review process that The Athletic is completing. This continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I am unwilling to respond to a public inquiry that has already caused more damage than I can accept.Rather than continue, I have decided to step aside now before my current contract expires.” I do so not because I accept the narrative built around this episode, but because I refuse to give it further oxygen or let it define me or my career. ”
The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, confirmed on Saturday that Russini’s conduct was under investigation, saying, “The Athletic’s editorial guidelines require journalists to avoid conflicts of interest or conflicts of interest so as not to call into question their credibility.”
A photo published by the Post on April 7 shows Vrabel and Russini in swimsuits hugging on the rooftop poolside at Ambiente in Sedona, Ariz., days before the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married to other people and have children together.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel told the Post, which published the photos, in a statement last week.
“I don’t deserve any further response.”
The day after the photo was released, Ginsburg similarly issued a statement of support.
“These photos are misleading and lack important context,” he said at the time. “These were public interactions in front of many people. Deanna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we are proud to welcome her to The Athletic.”
Russini previously covered the Washington Football Team for local NBC affiliate WRC, worked for ESPN before joining The Athletic in 2023, and covered Vrabel, who coached the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. Despite Ginsburg’s initial support, her actions later came under intense scrutiny within the organization.
Apparently not.
Pats Vice President of Player Personnel Elliott Wolfe held the team’s pre-draft press conference on April 13 (Vrabel held a press conference in 2025, but was not scheduled to do so this year). Only one question was posed, and it only vaguely touched on the coach’s dynamic with Russini.
When asked how focused Vrabel has been preparing for the draft this past week, Wolf said, “Very enthusiastic. Same as usual. He’s been working with us a little bit more than last year.”
Mr. Vrabel has not addressed reporters since issuing his first statement the day after the photo with Mr. Russini surfaced. He is expected to speak at some point during the upcoming NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the Patriots for further comment. Aside from Wolff’s statement, the team has also not released information about Vrabel’s photo with Russini or whether the coach violated the organization’s standards of conduct in any way.
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