This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.Ian Rapoport 'frustrated' as role questioned after Russini-Vrabel scandal

Joseph McBrideMon, May 25, 2026 at 1:35 PM UTC

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Ian Rapoport is frustrated with the perception of NFL insiders -Credit:2025 Kevin Sabitus (2025 Kevin Sabitus)

Senior NFL insider Ian Rapoport has claimed he is "frustrated" by people questioning his role after Dianna Russini was caught up in an infamous scandal involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

The Russini-Vrabel saga has dominated the NFL offseason after photos of them holding hands at an adults-only resort in Arizona were published online. That was just the start: Russini later resigned from her NFL insider role at The Athletic after more photos were released, dating back to 2020.

Russini has since been working on her relationship with husband Kevin Goldschmidt, and Vrabel took accountability for his actions before continuing to coach the Patriots. The scandal has led to criticism surrounding NFL insider roles, something that has frustrated Rapoport.

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Rapoport is the lead insider for NFL Network and has been with the company since 2012. He previously served as the Patriots' beat writer for three years at the Boston Herald.

He has since become one of the most trusted NFL insiders and has defended his position after the role faced criticism. The backlash stems from Russini's association with Vrabel and the Patriots while having an alleged personal relationship with the head coach.

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Rapoport appeared on the Between the Tackles podcast with former New York Jets beat writer Manish Mehta, and said: "I have been for sure frustrated at a lot of people talking about what they think the job of an insider is without actually knowing. That’s been frustrating to me over the last month or so.

Russini stepped down from her high-profile NFL insider role after photos were released with Vrabel -Credit:Getty

"The job is still the same. It’s finding out news. It’s touching base and talking to all parties, as many as you can. It’s confirming it, making sure that it comes out in the most accurate and truthful way possible, while also doing it as fast as possible and giving the reader or viewer as much information as you can.

"It's about being accurate, being fair, being first, and being accountable." NFL insiders continue to deliver major scoops, but Russini's scandal earlier this year did taint the industry.

When the initial photos of Russini and Vrabel were released, both issued statements downplaying the situation, even claiming they were at the resort with a larger group. The narrative quickly changed when older photos began to surface.

Russini and Vrabel reportedly had a personal association for several years -Credit: YouTube (@TAScoopCity)

A photo of Russini and Vrabel at a bar in 2020 was then released, as was a snap of them gambling in a casino. Fans then began looking at Russini's old posts, checking for all mentions of Vrabel and the Patriots.

Fans also searched for scoops about the Tennessee Titans, where Vrabel was head coach before returning to New England. Russini decided to delete her popular X account after engagement spiked on her old posts.

Russini is reportedly ready to tell her side of the story after remaining quiet since distancing herself from social media. Several outlets have reached out for an interview, but she reportedly has no plans to throw Vrabel under the bus.

Vrabel has since resumed his coaching duties with the Patriots, holding OTAs before an important summer training camp. The Patriots reached the Super Bowl last year and will look to ignore distractions heading into next season.

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Source: “AOL Sports”