Eagles

Mike Vrabel, A.J. Brown’s Maybe-Soon-to-be Coach, Skipping a Draft Day For Counseling as More Dianna Russini Photos Surface

By Matt Schultz

Published: Apr 23rd, 2026 · 1:35 PM EDT

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Since the A.J. Brown-to-New England trade rumors heated up this week, I’ve had this quiet, lingering distaste for just about everyone involved in the situation: I’m upset with A.J. for wanting to bail, with the Eagles for being unable to keep him happy, with Jalen Hurts for doing this weird response tweet – and with the Patriots, who get to swoop in and nab our guy for pennies on the dollar. Admittedly, this would be a pretty lucky break for them – but that’s not to say everything’s going their way this week:

Per Mike Reiss at ESPN, Mike Vrabel is going to miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday to attend counseling in the midst of the Dianna Russini controversy:

“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said Wednesday night. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them. I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”

If you’re unaware, all of this comes a few weeks after Vrabel and Russini were spotted looking pretty romantic together in Arizona, sparking a wave of cheating allegations (both Vrabel and Russini are married with children). In the time since the story broke, Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic while an internal investigation was underway, Vrabel called the whole thing laughable, then walked it back on Tuesday by saying a bunch of nonsense to reporters while sporting a semi-sad, quasi-apologetic demeanor.

Then we get word that Vrabel has to miss Day 3 of the draft for counseling. In my opinion… this whole story is awesome. It’s a mess. None of it makes much sense, and that’s what makes it so fun to analyze:

So far, both Vrabel and Russini are denying they had a relationship. If that’s true, why did she quit her job? And why is Vrabel going to counseling? What kind of counseling is it, anyway? Just saying “counseling” is vague as hell. Also, the whole therapy thing is obviously a PR move anyway, right? Why would Vrabel have counseling on Day 3 of the draft? He surely could’ve picked another day, yes? How packed is this therapist’s schedule? Also, interesting that he doesn’t have to go to counseling on Day 1 or 2 of the draft because those ones are way more important. What a lucky break…

And on top of all this, Page Six dropped a report on Thursday with photos allegedly showing Vrabel and Russini kissing in NYC six years ago (Page Six, how do you do it… incredible…)

Anyway, as far as offseason stories go, this one’s been pretty fun to follow. Everyone involved is acting weird. Photos from six years ago are magically resurfacing. And the whole thing is that much better when you remember that A.J. Brown will soon be joining this locker room (reportedly). As we’ve learned, if there’s a locker room with some weird vibes, throwing A.J. Brown into the mix is probably not good – but it is nice thinking about this happening to a team that’s not the Eagles.