Mike Vrabel, the head coach of the New England Patriots, made headlines in April 2026 after photos of him with sports journalist Dianna Russini surfaced online. The candid snapshots, published by Page Six, quickly went viral and sparked speculation about their relationship—especially since Mike is still married to his wife, Jennifer Vrabel.
In the photos taken at the Ambiente luxury hotel in Sedona, Arizona, the two appear relaxed and comfortable with each other, and at one point, they appear to weave their fingers together before sharing a hug. The images fueled curiosity across social media. Both Dianna and Mike, however, “insist” they were at the hotel with other friends and that those people were not visible in the pictures, per Page Six. Both also denied that anything was going on between them in statements to The New York Post.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction, and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response,” Mike’s statement to The Post read, while Dianna’s indicated, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
The situation escalated quickly, with Dianna ultimately resigning from The Athletic on April 14, 2026, amid the fallout and an internal review.
Dianna, a prominent NFL insider, has built a reputation for her reporting, while Mike is known for keeping his personal life largely private. So, is he still with his wife, Jennifer? Here’s what we know so far about Mike and his marriage.
Who Is Mike Vrabel?
As previously noted, Mike is the head coach for the Patriots. As a former linebacker, Mike knew the ropes and became a respected figure on the sidelines. He first rose to prominence as a key player for the Patriots, where he was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams.
Who Is Mike Vrabel’s Wife?
Mike’s wife is Jennifer “Jen” Vrabel.
How Long Have Mike Vrabel & His Wife Been Married?
Mike has been legally married to Jennifer since 1999. According to multiple outlets, Mike and Jen met at Ohio State University when they were both student athletes. Jen played for the women’s volleyball team from 1993 to 1996.
Is Mike Vrabel Still Married to His Wife?
At the time of publication, Mike and Jennifer appear to be married.
Does Mike Vrabel Have Kids?
Yes, Mike shares two sons with Jennifer. He’s kept them out of the spotlight.
Who Is Dianna Russini?
As previously mentioned, Dianna is a well-known sports journalist. She most recently worked as a Senior NFL Insider at The Athletic and previously spent several years at ESPN, where she was a SportsCenter anchor and regularly appeared on shows like NFL Live and Sunday NFL Countdown.
She joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN and built a reputation as a trusted NFL insider. However, in April 2026, she made headlines after resigning from the outlet following the fallout from photos with Mike and the subsequent internal review.
Dianna wrote in a resignation letter to Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor of The Athletic. “When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”
I submitted my letter of resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below. pic.twitter.com/401nrtbEsj
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 14, 2026
She added, “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
