New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced early Thursday morning that he would step away from the team for the third day of the NFL draft. The decision came shortly after the New York Post contacted Vrabel regarding an email exchange and published photos from 2020 showing Vrabel with ESPN reporter Dianna Russini.
The photos, which the Post claims were taken in 2020, have not been independently verified by other news outlets. Vrabel did not provide a specific reason for his departure, but sources close to the situation indicate it is related to the Post's inquiry.
Vrabel, who took over as Patriots head coach in 2025, has not commented publicly on the photos. The team has not issued an official statement regarding his absence from the draft.
Dianna Russini, now a senior NFL reporter for ESPN, has also not responded to requests for comment. The nature of the email exchange referenced by the Post remains unclear.
