It was a whirlwind of an offseason for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who was linked romantically to longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini after a series of photos showed the two spending time together over a period of six years.
Vrabel, who is married, saw his ordeal play out fairly publicly. He addressed reporters multiple times as the scandal unfolded before the NFL Draft, and he announced in April that he would be going to counseling with his family.
For Russini, who is also married, the saga has largely played out behind closed doors. Russini released her resignation letter from The Athletic in April, but she hasn’t spoken on camera since. That could be about to change.
Reports have indicated Russini is planning a comeback, at which point she might tell her side of the story.
Here’s a look back at the timeline leading to Russini’s comeback.
MORE: Full timeline of Vrabel-Russini scandal
Dianna Russini comeback timeline
April 7: Russini pushes back after Vrabel photos leak
In a statement to NBC News on Wednesday, Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg said the photos are “misleading and lack essential context.”
“These were public interactions in front of many people,” Ginsberg said. “Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
Russini said in her own statement that many reporters in her field interact with “sources” outside of stadiums and work venues.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” she said.
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April 14: Russini resigns from The Athletic
Russini released a lengthy letter announcing her resignation from The Athletic on April 14, a week after the photos were first published.
Diana Russini full letter of resignation. pic.twitter.com/M2mNVHcr9o
— Savage (@Savageboston) April 14, 2026
The longtime reporter did not admit to a relationship with Vrabel or walk back her initial defense, instead explaining that her contract was already set to expire and adding that she did not want the growing story to “define” her career.
Russini referenced a “narrative that has been constructed” about her and Vrabel, continuing to insist that their interaction in Arizona was coincidental and innocent. Vrabel, meanwhile, would later say that he had to have “difficult conversations” with his family and said he needed to focus on being “the best husband, father and coach that I can possibly be.”
Sept. 3: The Athletic completes Russini investigation
The Athletic finished its internal review of Russini in September, nearly five months after she resigned, finding that her relationship with Vrabel was in “clear violation” of the outlet’s standards.
“Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed,” the outlet said in its findings.
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Sept. 9: Report reveals Russini is planning to break her silence
The New York Post, which broke the original story through Page Six, reported that Russini plans to tell her side of the story upon accepting her next job.
Russini “continues to mull offers” from different outlets, the report claimed, though her return did not turn out to be imminent.
The report was one of the first indications that Russini was planning to dive back into the NFL media landscape, though it didn’t make her destination any clearer.
Nov. 4: Russini’s return reportedly imminent
While Russini didn’t accept a job as quickly as September’s report might have indicated, Page Six reported on Nov. 5 that the embattled reporter is on the verge of a return to the media world.
Russini will be “headlining her own show,” the report said, adding that it will be launching within the next week. NBC Sports first reported that Russini’s return was imminent.
“It’s been in the works for a while and she can’t wait to get back to what she loves,” a source told Page Six.
What no report indicated is the ultimate destination for Russini. While she could launch her own show independently, the September report that she was mulling offers from outlets indicates it will be on an established platform.
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