The NFL’s biggest story of the week has sparked plenty of debates and discussions, for those in the media who have bothered to mention it.
Here’s one question that has emerged, given that the New York Times has now essentially suspended Dianna Russini in the aftermath of the publication by the New York Post of photos including Russini and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel: Is there a double standard for the two of them?
The obvious answer is yes. That’s because different standards apply to different jobs.
The Athletic, which is owned and operated by the Times, presumably has a long list of policies and procedures. One of them possibly covers fraternization with sources. If so, there’s a line that can’t be crossed. The photos allow for a reasonable person to conclude that, at a minimum, she may have been getting too close to that line.
Then there’s the obligation that most companies have to provide accurate and truthful information when internal questions emerge. If (and obviously no one knows the truth at this point) the Times suspects that anything she said to her employer when first asked about the photos may not have been the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, that creates a separate basis for scrutiny and, potentially, discipline.
For Vrabel, there’s possibly no policy regarding fraternization with reporters. While his employment contract or the Patriots’ internal policies possibly include something that could be characterized as barring a too-cozy relationship with someone covering the team or the league, it’s far more common for a news outlet to create clear standards regarding the behavior of a reporter in relation to a source than it is for a sports team to create clear standards regarding the behavior of a coach in relation to a reporter.
There could be other issues for Vrabel, based on the facts. If (and this is only an example, not an accusation) Vrabel was affirmatively using Russini to agitate for an A.J. Brown trade with the Eagles on the most favorable terms possible to the Patriots, the tampering rule could potentially apply. (Of course, the NFL rarely enforces the tampering rule.) Or if (and, again, this is only an example, not an accusation) Russini was sharing material, non-public information harvested from other teams with Vrabel at his request, that could be a separate problem.
Also, all responsible American employers have sexual harassment policies. Although the situation becomes more complicated when one of the parties is not an employee, most policies regarding quid pro quo harassment or hostile work environment harassment apply as to non-employees. (If, for example, a coach — or a player — were making persistent derogatory comments to a female reporter during press conferences or in the locker room, that would provide a basis for investigation, discipline, and/or litigation.)
From the league’s perspective, the Personal Conduct Policy contains this vague, general, catch-all provision: “Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”
It’s possible, if not likely, that any rules Vrabel may or may not have broken are far more vague than the rules the Times has put in place regarding the interactions between reporters and sources.
As to the possibility (again, this isn’t an accusation) that Vrabel’s statement to the Post wasn’t true and accurate, coaches lie all the time. About everything. It goes with the job. The truth can compromise strategic goals. (For example, it’s entirely possible that quarterback Drake Maye played Super Bowl LX with a lingering shoulder injury that was downplayed or concealed by Vrabel and the rest of the organization.) As to whether Vrabel told the truth to the Patriots, that’s something that could (in theory) become an issue.
If Vrabel’s overall status with the Patriots were currently tenuous, could any of this be something that causes the team to mobilize in an effort to justify termination, perhaps for cause? Maybe. Whether anything would stick depends on the clarity of the policies and the terms of his contract.
The point for now is this. There are two different standards. Because the two jobs are fundamentally different.
The same thing would apply to other situations regarding a reporter’s methods for gathering information. If, for example, a reporter deliberately uses their social-media platforms to promote the interests of a source in order to promote the free flow of information from the source, the reporter would potentially be violating a rule or two that applies to the reporter. The source likely would not be violating a rule that applies to the source.
Likewise, if a reporter is paying a source for information, the reporter would be violating a rule applicable to the reporter’s employment. The source possibly would not be violating any rules applicable to the source’s specific job by taking it.
Two jobs. Two standards.
Again, none of that means Vrabel is in the clear. And it’s fair to ask whether the Patriots and/or the league will choose not to even bother to explore whether he broke any potentially relevant rules. But the basic nature of his position makes any basis for scrutiny far less obvious than the nature of a reporter’s job does.
The New York Times has reversed course regarding NFL insider Dianna Russini.
Three days after The Athletic, owned and operated by the Times, issued a statement of unequivocal support in connection with photos obtained by the New York Post of Russini and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, the Post now reports that Russini “will not be reporting” while an internal investigation unfolds.
An unnamed source with knowledge of the situation told the Post that “new details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation raised additional concerns that are now being reviewed further. The investigation is ongoing.”
Added the source, to the Post: “Her coverage is being reviewed. That process is expected to take time. She will not be reporting in the interim.”
Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported on Friday afternoon the existence of an internal investigation. He noted a prior FOS report that Russini’s contract expires in August 2026.
The Commanders signed outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson to a one-year, $11 million deal this offseason. He was one of the top edge rushers on the free agent market after a breakout 2025 season.
“It’s huge, man. It’s huge,” Chaisson told Bryan Colbert, via the team’s YouTube channel. “Obviously coming off a phenomenal year, man. Didn’t get a chance to seal the deal like I wanted to, but a lot of things have been moving in the right trajectory of my career. Getting a chance to be a part of this, and continue the rebuilding phase, but honestly, I’d say put the final touches on something that has already been progressing.
“I want to continue to be that guy, to be that missing piece that can send us in the right trajectory. . . . I think it’s everything and more for my career and for this team for sure.”
Chaisson, 26, played a career-high 639 snaps, a career-high 10 starts, a career-high 7.5 sacks and a career-high 18 quarterback hits.
“You’ve got to decide to block me all four quarters, and that’s my favorite part about it,” Chaisson said. “I’m willing to take it to a fifth quarter if it has to go there. I like that part about it. I never quit; I can go all day long. The mindset and the energy that I play with, it’s now or never for me.”
Shane Bowen is reuniting with Mike Vrabel.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Bowen is joining New England’s coaching staff as a defensive analyst.
Bowen, 39, previously worked with Vrabel on the Texans and Titans. He served as Vrabel’s defensive coordinator from 2021-2023 with Tennessee.
Bowen then spent the last two seasons as the Giants’ defensive coordinator. He was fired in November as New York reshaped its coaching staff multiple times during the season.
The Patriots are set with starting quarterback Drake Maye, but they could use the draft to add a developmental prospect behind the 2024 first-round pick.
One possibility for that role is spending time with the team on Friday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that former Kansas starter Jalon Daniels is meeting with the reigning AFC champs.
Daniels spent the last six seasons with the Jayhawks and started games each year while also missing significant time with injuries. He was healthy enough to start every game the last two years and threw for 4,985 yards while running for 843 yards.
Tommy DeVito is currently the only quarterback other than Maye on the roster in New Englad, so they’ll likely be adding at least one more player to the room during or after the draft.
