Dianna Russini is out at The Athletic following Mike Vrabel photos

Longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic a week after photos of her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort were published by the New York Post.

Russini, who had been sidelined from reporting as the Times investigated, announced her resignation in a letter to Athletic editor Steven Ginsberg, which was first obtained by the Associated Press.

“When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism,” Russini wrote. “In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”

Russini, who denied being alone with Vrabel, said the “media frenzy” over the situation escalated to a point where she felt her only option was to step down.

“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career,” Russini wrote.

Russini’s contract with The Athletic was set to expire June 30. She was hired as an NFL insider in 2023 after having spent a decade at ESPN, where she worked in various positions, including NFL reporter, analyst, and SportsCenter anchor.

Both Russini and Vrabel are married.

After the photos were published, Ginsberg was quick to defend Russini, saying they were “misleading and lack essential context.” Ginsberg’s quick defense of Russini absent new information or photos reportedly caused problems internally, leading the Times to open an investigation of the incident.

“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter,” Ginsberg said in a note to staffers at The Athletic Tuesday obtained by The Inquirer. “As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”

Ginsberg also noted Mike Semel, The Athletic’s editorial director of standards and editorial quality, is leading an internal investigation of Russini’s work.

Eagles fans have been following Russini’s frequent reporting on wide receiver A.J. Brown, with speculation swirling about a possible trade to the Patriots. As recently as Tuesday, general manager Howie Roseman sought to avoid the rumors and repeated the same basic quote — “A.J. Brown is an Eagle.”

Other than a short statement claiming the photos showed “a completely innocent interaction,” Vrabel has remained quiet about the incident and didn’t attend a pre-NFL draft availability with Patriots reporters on Monday. Vrabel isn’t expected to speak to reporters until the NFL draft next week in Pittsburgh.