Dianna Russini’s marriage has taken a ‘serious hit’ in the wake of allegations of an affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, the Daily Mail has learned.
Page Six ignited the firestorm by publishing pictures of Russini with the Patriots coach at a $2,500-a-night adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona, in March. Other photos have since emerged appearing to show the pair looking cozy at a New York bar back in 2020.
While Vrabel has issued an apology to his family and agreed to seek counseling over the scandal, Russini’s only public comment was the statement she gave after leaving The Athletic, in which she denied the allegations.
But a source close to the reporter has revealed that now Russini is said to be in ‘survival mode’ while trying to navigate the fallout from the shocking revelations.
‘Dianna’s life is pretty much all over the place right now,’ a source exclusively told the Daily Mail. ‘She’s lost a lot already, and there’s still more hanging in the balance.’
‘Career-wise, it’s hard to see how she gets back to where she was. There’s always going to be that question of trust, and the scandal isn’t something people will just forget,’ the source continued.
Dianna Russini is said to be in ‘survival mode’ while trying to navigate the fallout from the shocking allegations that she had an affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Vrabel and Russini are pictured together, years before the Post scandal erupted this month
The insider also revealed that the disparity in how the two have been treated by their respective industries has become a bitter pill for Russini to swallow as she watches Vrabel return to work.
‘She’s not going to get the same concessions that Mike has got by keeping his job as unfair as that may seem, it is her reality,’ the source said.
Beyond the press box, the emotional toll of the situation has been compounded by Russini’s reported feelings for the Patriots coach, which have now been complicated by the public fallout.
‘On top of that, her marriage has taken a serious hit, and she’s also dealing with the loss of Mike, who she genuinely loved,’ the insider said.
Russini’s husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, is said to be reeling from the public nature of the controversy, which has put an immense strain on their union.
‘Her husband has felt sidelined for a long time, and this controversy might be what finally pushes things to a breaking point,’ the source added.
‘At the same time, he’s dealing with the embarrassment, still cares about her, and would want to find some way to fix things if he can. The emasculation has taken a toll though.’
Russini married fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020 during the pandemic
Russini has covered Vrabel since his days with the Titans, when she still worked for ESPN
Meanwhile, Russini has opted to retreat from the spotlight entirely, avoiding public appearances and deleting her social media accounts.
‘Lately, she’s been keeping a low profile, not really going out, just trying to focus on being a mom above everything else,’ the source explained.
The reporter’s primary focus has shifted toward protecting her children from the media circus that has followed her every move since the scandal broke.
‘Her kids are way too young to know what is going on, and they are being kept out of it, at all costs,’ the source said.
‘But overall, it’s messy. She’s basically in survival mode – like she’s underwater, trying to stay afloat and just get a breath in.’
Meanwhile, Vrabel has sought counseling over the matter and traveled to Utah for a ‘marriage summit’ with his wife, Jen.
The embattled couple are said to have jetted to Park City, Utah, for an emergency 24-hour summit to address the state of their marriage, according to Page Six.
Jen was recently seen arriving back in Boston on Tuesday in new photos obtained by the Daily Mail. Dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, she was alone as she climbed into a taxi, with her husband having already made the trip back.
Mike and Jen Vrabel share two children
As Jen touched back down on the East Coast, one insider told the Daily Mail that, as it stands, their marriage is hanging in the balance, with Jen set to make a ‘tough decision’ in the near future amid the ongoing saga.
‘Jen is p***ed, embarrassed, and horrified that this is her life right now,’ the source told the Daily Mail.
‘To live through this in the public eye, being judged by friends and family, being judged by people she has never met. It is a nightmare.’
‘But as much as the trust has been broken, the “till death do us part” is what she is trying to make work,’ the source continued.
The Patriots head coach also recently offered a groveling apology to his family as he stepped away from the 2026 NFL Draft in order to focus on his future off the field.
‘He is not out of the woods yet, and maybe he never will be,’ the source revealed. ‘But this is a time of reflection. She is going to see if this will make them stronger or not.’
