A fresh round of chatter around the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel story could be coming before the Patriots kick off their season, and Tony Farmer is already telling fans to brace for it.
On Friday, NFL insider Albert Breer joined the “Toucher and Hardy” podcast and said the appetite for the controversy is still very real. He pointed to the attention the story has drawn across platforms and suggested another report could land before New England plays Seattle on Sept. 9.
“You guys saw the numbers on YouTube and on the podcast, and I saw the numbers at SI,” Breer said. “For one reason or another, there is intense interest in this story.
I think as long as there's that intense interest in the story, people are going to be pursuing it. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a story next week before the game on Wednesday.”
Farmer reacted to that prediction and warned listeners to get ready for more. He posted: “Buckle up: A new Dianna Russini article dropping before Wednesday's Patriots-Seahawks game?
Listen as 98.5 radio personality suggests that a Patriots (S**t) storm may be imminent. Bert Breer also says it wouldn't surprise him if an article dropped before the Pats' Week 1 game.”
The controversy began in April, when photos of Russini and Vrabel at a private resort in Sedona were made public. The two initially downplayed it. But the situation took a sharper turn when additional photos surfaced, some of them dating back to as early as 2021.
After the backlash grew, Russini resigned from The Athletic. The publication then launched its own investigation and released the findings five months later. The report said Russini’s relationship with Vrabel violated company standards, while Director of Standards and Quality Mike Semel also said there was no evidence Russini showed favoritism toward the Patriots coach.
Vrabel was asked about the Athletic report at a press conference last week, and he didn’t offer much.
“No, I don't have any reaction,” Vrabel said. “We've moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week.”
Vrabel led the Patriots to the AFC championship in his debut season last year, but the team fell to the Seahawks 29-13 in the Super Bowl LX championship game.
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