Dianna Russini, one of the sharpest NFL insiders we knew, still hasn’t picked up the mic at a new sports media giant, even with the 2026-27 NFL season’s opening kickoff staring us down. Remember the whole storm earlier in the spring with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel? That saga, where a report released by Page Six depicted her and Vrabel together at a hotel, definitely shook the NFL and the whole sports world.
The initial report created a crazy amount of noise. Some folks believed it was just a reporter talking to a source, totally normal business. But let’s be real, the vast majority of the sports world immediately saw some heavy romantic undertones. That chatter got so loud, so persistent, that Russini actually resigned from her post at The Athletic a week after the original report dropped! She wasn’t formally fired, by the way. On April 14, she made the first move to step down, even putting out a resignation letter on X, which has since been deleted. After the NFL Draft wrapped up and through the quiet summer months, things died down a bit, but the question remained: where does she go next?
Despite the quiet, Russini hasn’t signed with any new news company, podcast, or media group yet. But hold up, because the rumors are absolutely flying that she’s looking for new opportunities. According to Front Office Sports, she is “absolutely” planning a return to sports media, which is exactly what we want to hear! The name popping up as the lead candidate to scoop her up? None other than Barstool Sports. Word on the street is she’s had discussions about some job opportunities already, with Week 1 just around the corner. The clock is ticking big time to get a new role before Seattle and New England get the new campaign started, you know? Even Fox Sports Radio host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner, a friend of hers, publicly invited her to join his show, saying the offer “holds forever” if she wants to get back into the game. That’s real loyalty right there.
The 2026-27 NFL season is just around the corner, and the question isn’t just about who’s going to win Week 1 between Seattle and New England. It’s also about where Dianna Russini lands before that opening kickoff. Will we see her back in the game, bringing her sharp insights just as the NFL season gets underway? The clock is ticking, and we’re all waiting to see where this story goes next. It’s her story to tell, and you know what? We’re ready to listen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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