Dianna Russini‘s time away from NFL media could soon be coming to an end.
The veteran reporter is expected to return to work during the 2026 NFL season, according to a report from Page Six, although her exact destination and timing have yet to be finalized.
A source familiar with the situation told the publication that Russini plans to discuss the controversy involving Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel when she takes her next media job.
The 43-year-old has apparently resisted numerous opportunities to discuss the story since leaving The Athletic in April.
According to Page Six, Russini received interview requests from major television networks, podcasts and even reality television programs as the controversy intensified, but chose not to participate.
Instead, she reportedly wanted to control when and how she told her side of the story. That approach could soon change.
Russini is said to be considering offers from multiple outlets, and there is a possibility that she could take on more than one role.
However, a return in time for the opening of Week 1 appears unlikely. The 2026 season begins Wednesday night with the Seattle Seahawks visiting Vrabel’s Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
Her potential comeback comes just days after The Athletic published the findings of its internal review into her relationship with Vrabel.
What The Athletic’s investigation found
The five-month investigation was led by Mike Semel, The Athletic’s editorial director for standards and quality. Investigators reviewed 903 stories, 77 videos and more than 200 podcast episodes connected to Russini’s work at the organization.
The review concluded that Russini’s relationship with Vrabel violated the outlet’s newsroom standards because it had not been disclosed.
“Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed,” Semel said.
Importantly, the investigation did not conclude that Russini deliberately used her reporting to help Vrabel or his teams.
Semel wrote that he did not find “a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to help promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at the Athletic,” although he identified examples in which Russini wrote “glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable.”
Reuters reported that only a small portion of Russini’s work examined during the investigation involved Vrabel, the Tennessee Titans or the Patriots. The review also found that her broader NFL sourcing was not dependent on Vrabel.
The controversy began in April after photographs emerged showing Russini and Vrabel together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona. The images generated intense speculation because both were married to other people.
Additional photographs subsequently emerged, including images from a New York City bar that were taken years earlier.
Both Russini and Vrabel have disputed the implications drawn from the photographs and have maintained their own positions regarding the nature of their relationship.
Russini ultimately resigned from The Athletic on April 14 while the investigation was ongoing.
Following the publication of the findings, she issued a short response that made clear she remained confident in her professional record: “I stand by any and all reporting I’ve ever done in my career.”
Vrabel, meanwhile, has returned his attention to the Patriots and the new season. Asked about The Athletic’s findings on September 3, he offered little interest in revisiting the controversy.
“No, I don’t have any reaction,” Vrabel said. “We’re moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week.”
That contrast could make Russini’s eventual return particularly significant.
While Vrabel has been able to move back into his normal football routine, Russini’s professional future has remained uncertain since her resignation.
Her reported decision to speak publicly on her own terms could allow her to address questions that have followed her for months before attempting to rebuild her career.
There are already indications that she will have opportunities.
The New York Post reported that Russini has been discussing multiple potential jobs, with Barstool Sports emerging as one possible destination.
Page Six’s latest report also suggests that people throughout the NFL remain supportive of her return, with owners, coaches, staff members and players reportedly hoping to see the longtime insider back around the league.
For Russini, though, the first task may be dealing with the story that ended her previous chapter.
She declined to discuss it while the controversy was at its peak. Now, if she follows through on the reported plan, the NFL media world could hear her version directly.
Only after that conversation may Russini finally be able to turn the page and concentrate on the job that made her one of the league’s most recognizable insiders in the first place.
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