news-engine

Mike Vrabel 'going to be tested in Week 1' after Dianna Russini scandal Former New England Patriots defensive ace Devin McCourty sent a warning to Patriots coach Mike Vrabel ahead of the 2026 NFL season following an offseason of controversy The New England Patriots will attempt to return to business as usual ahead of Week 1 following an offseason that saw coach Mike Vrabel dragged through the rumor mill. Vrabel's alleged affair with former ESPN and Athletic reporter Dianna Russini was highly publicized, particularly around the NFL Draft, and Thursday saw a first game broadcast mention of the subject. NBC was on hand in Canton, Ohio, for Thursday's NFL preseason Hall of Fame game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. Pregame, host Maria Taylor asked analyst Devin McCourtey, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots, about what Vrabel's impact is on the team. The safety mentioned that the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year is "going to be tested" in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. "Back in April, the Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel said he took ‘accountability’ for his actions after photos emerged of him and former longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini,” Taylor prefaced. “He left the team for the final day of the draft to be with his family and begin counseling before returning a couple of days later. "But now that camp is open, I’m going to ask you, Devin. What’s the impact on this team?" McCourty, a three-time All-Pro safety, didn't mince his words. “They look for Mike Vrabel. They look for him when things get tough,” he said. “Do they still feel the same way? His character has been tested. Will this team follow him wherever he goes? That’s gonna be tested right away, Week 1.” ESPN's response to Vrabel ESPN notably dodged the topic of Russini, who served as the network's Tennessee Titans beat reporter while Vrabel coached the team, all offseason. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers pointed out this fact to Pat McAfee live on his show this week. "Then there was another scandal this offseason, too, involving a voter for MVP, for coach of the year," the former MVP QB said. "How much time did your network spend on that?" "Like, you have literally an individual that maybe used to work at ESPN that covers our league at the highest level, and there's a major scandal, and it's just, like, nobody can ------- talk about it. What are we even doing here? "If it's affecting certain things, if there's leaks going on, if there's tampering going on, if that person is also an MVP voter and a coach of the year voter."