Was there some funny business behind the scenes of all those rumors?
Philadelphia Eagles fans aren’t happy with Dianna Russini, NFL reporter for The Athletic, after photos surfaced of the married reporter spending time with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Arizona.
The photos were obtained by Page Six of the New York Post, who says that they were taken two weekends ago at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona.
Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl this past season in his first season with the team, can be seen holding hands with Russini and embracing on what Page Six says is the rooftop of a private bungalow. And further photos show the two lounging together in a pool and hot tub.
According to Page Six, eyewitnesses said the two appeared to be alone and nobody else was spotted with them during their time together – which is a problem because both Vrabel and Russini are married, and not to each other.
The Patriots coach has been married to his wife Jen Vrabel since 1999, and the couple have two children together. Russini, meanwhile, has been married to Shake Shack vice president Kevin Goldschmidt since 2020, and also have two children together.
But what does any of this have to do with the Philadelphia Eagles?
Well there’s been plenty of speculation surrounding star Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown over the past year or so. Brown has been vocal about his frustrations with his team and the Eagles offense, believing that he’s not getting the ball enough, and even went viral last year when he said that fantasy football managers who have him on their team should get rid of him or not start him.
Throughout the drama, Russini has been at the forefront of reporting on a possible trade involving Brown – frequently mentioning the Patriots as a possible landing spot:
Well after the photos surfaced of Russini with the Patriots head coach, Eagles fans began speculating that her relationship with Vrabel may have served as motivation to continue to push the “AJ Brown to New England” narrative – especially given the fact that she’s criticized her husband for being an Eagles fan:
No wonder she was pushing the AJ Brown to the Pats so hard the last few months.
— Scotty2Hotty (@ItsTheRealScott) April 7, 2026
It all makes sense now LMAAAOOO.. Vrabel was really tryna make her push that AJ agenda🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/EsvCIEjjps
— 1of1🦅 (@1flyeaglesfly_) April 7, 2026
AJ Brown to the Patriots you say? The “reporter” incessantly pushing the rumor for weeks on end is caught with the Pats HC?… pic.twitter.com/3IbqI4sfNZ
— David Dunn (@Stuck_envelope) April 8, 2026
Now, Russini isn’t the only reporter who’s predicted that the Patriots would trade for Brown: Just last week, a Tennessee Titans reporter came to the same conclusion after speaking with sources at the NFL owners meeting.
And both Vrabel and Russini have insisted that the photos show nothing improper between the two and have simply been taken out of context.
According to Vrabel:
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
And Russini likewise claimed that the photos are misleading:
“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.”
Her employer, The Athletic, also said in a statement that they stand by their reporter:
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at the Athletic.”
Eagles fans, however, aren’t happy about it.
