The first set of photos from the New York Post showing Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona was taken while Russini worked for The Athletic. The Athletic is now reviewing her reporting, after her resignation.
The latest set of photos from the New York Post was taken while she worked for ESPN. The question now becomes whether ESPN will be reviewing her reporting.
ESPN has declined comment in response to an email inquiry from PFT.
Here’s an example of reporting that could be scrutinized, regarding a situation that developed after March 2020, when the photos published earlier today were taken.
In May 2021, Russini reported that the Falcons “have discussed several offers for wide receiver Julio Jones, including an offer of a future first-round draft pick.” The report, under a headline that proclaimed “Atlanta Falcons have offer of a 1st-round pick for Julio Jones, sources say” created a clear impression that the Falcons had an offer in hand of a first-round pick for Jones.
Her report also downplayed the Titans’ chances of landing Jones, calling them a “long shot.” (At the time, Vrabel served as head coach of the Titans.)
Ultimately, the Titans acquired Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick for a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick.
So how did the reporting potentially help the Titans? Putting out the word that the Falcons had been offered a first-round pick could have had a chilling effect on any team that may have been considering offering a second-round pick. Calling the Titans a “long shot” allowed them to maneuver quietly for Jones.
Given the relationship between Vrabel and Russini, it’s not crazy or reckless to wonder whether her reporting was directly or indirectly connected to the effort to help the Titans get Jones on the best possible terms. Which, of course, will bolster suspicions by Eagles fans that she had been working more recently with Vrabel to get Eagles receiver A.J. Brown on the best possible terms.
The point for now is that the newest photos directly relate to her time at ESPN. And that specific entanglement could explain why it took so long for ESPN to pay full attention to the story. In the end, its own credibility could be undermined by the reporting Russini did while working there.
Falcons edge rusher James Pearce has agreed to enter an intervention program that will allow him to avoid a trial on multiple felony charges related to a February incident with his ex-girlfriend.
Pearce attended a hearing in a Miami-Dade County courtroom on video to agree to participate in the six-month program. A report on Thursday morning indicated that Pearce’s legal team was negotiating the deal with prosecutors. His attorney Yale Sanford told ESPN that Pearce will participate in therapy sessions during the six-month period and that he is required to stay away from his ex-girlfriend in order to have the charges dropped.
Pearce was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence as well as a misdemeanor count of stalking.
The NFL said that the case remains under review for possible discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy.
Defensive end James Pearce Jr., a first-round pick the Falcons acquired last year by trading the team’s first-round pick this year to the Rams, faces multiple felony charges resulting from an incident with his ex-girlfriend in February. Pearce could be in the process of resolving the situation.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida reports that Pearce’s lawyers are negotiating a deal that would result in the dismissal of all charges in exchange for participation in a program that includes therapy sessions and a six-month probation period.
Pearce had been formally charged with three felonies (aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence) and one misdemeanor (stalking). His lawyers have professed his innocence.
Pearce allegedly rammed the vehicle driven by WNBA player Rickea Jackson. He then allegedly resisted arrest, striking an officer as he drove away from the scene.
Jackson reportedly has agreed to the approach. The police officers who eventually apprehended Pearce also have reportedly agreed.
Resolution of the criminal charges would lead to the finalization of the NFL’s handling of the situation under the Personal Conduct Policy. The baseline punishment for domestic violence is a six-game suspension without pay. Aggravating circumstances could lengthen the suspension.
Pearce, who finished third in defensive rookie of the year voting last season, had 10.5 sacks in 2025.
The Rams reached the NFC Championship Game last season, head into this season as the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl, and should draft another good player tonight, when they own the 13th pick in the first round, thanks to a forward-thinking trade with the Falcons last year.
A year ago, the Rams traded their own first- and third-round picks to the Falcons for Atlanta’s second- and seventh-round picks, plus their 2026 first-round pick. The Falcons badly wanted pass rusher James Pearce, and they were willing to give up their 2026 first-round pick to go up and get him.
Rams General Manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have earned the job security that makes it easy for them to think ahead when making trades. They didn’t need the instant gratification of adding a player in the first round in 2025, when they anticipated that with the Falcons’ first-round pick they’d have a chance to add an even better player in 2026.
While the Rams played the long game, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and coach Raheem Morris knew they were on the hot seat. Knowing their 2025 job status was “win now or get fired,” they didn’t have time to worry about their 2026 first-round pick. Sure enough, Fontenot and Morris were both fired at the end of last season. The new regime in Atlanta has to rebuild without a first-round pick, while Pearce is not currently with the team as he faces legal charges stemming from alleged abuse of his ex-girlfriend.
The Rams are in much better shape. They traded away their own first-round pick for cornerback Trent McDuffie, but the Falcons’ first-round pick means they still have the ammunition to bolster their roster tonight. Maybe they’ll add a good player with the 13th pick, or maybe Snead will trade it for more picks or another player, but either way, the Super Bowl favorites should get better tonight.
The long-term thinking the Rams showed during last year’s draft is one of the reasons they’ve been able to consistently stay near the top of a league that is structured to promote parity.
When news dropped that offensive tackle Kaleb McGary was retiring, a few hours later, it was reported that the Falcons were signing Jawaan Taylor as a potential replacement.
In Atlanta’s pre-draft press conference on Monday, General Manager Ian Cunningham confirmed the club wasn’t surprised by McGary hanging up his cleats.
“We knew that that was a possibility,” Cunningham said, via transcript from the team. “I think that’s for us to kind of make sure that we protect the organization and the team. So once we kind of figure that part out, that’s on us to kind of try to figure out what are some options, whether it’s trade, whether it’s free agency.
“And while Kaleb was obviously a really good player for the franchise and we were fortunate to be able to get a player in Jawaan Taylor, who’s started a lot of games at right tackle and played on some really good teams at right tackle. So we’re excited about him and what he can bring to our offense in the run and pass game. Fortunately enough, he was still available when that happened. So we made sure to cross our tees and dot our eyes and be prepared and glad to go ahead, work out.”
Cunningham added that with Taylor, the club likes that he’s big, strong, physical, and consistent.
“I think he’s going to help us in the pass game, obviously help us in the run game as well,” Cunningham said. “So, we’re excited.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski also said they see Taylor as a “really good cultural fit.”
“[E]njoyed my time spent when he came in and just getting to know him a little bit, but will fit in great with that room,” Stefanski said. “And like Ian mentioned, he’s played on some good football teams. He’s had some great experience at that position, which it’s rare that you can have a guy that’s available that we can put in there and can lean on all that experience.”
