The Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini saga continues to generate headlines, as The New York Times published a bombshell report about the scandal. Among other new details, it was revealed that Russini was earning nearly $800,000 prior to resigning from her role at The Athletic. What did the NFL world think of her $800,000 salary?
NFL World Stunned by Dianna Russini’s $800K Salary Before Resigning
Many were shocked to learn that Russini was earning so much, and the reactions were immediate.
One Philadelphia Eagles fan page on X wrote, “$800,000 a year to have an extramarital affair and report information you get via that affair. What a gig.”
“$800k a year for Russini might be the worst contract of all time,” wrote Drew of the “Zone 32 Podcast,” a podcast focused on the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL as a whole.
$800k a year for Russini might be the worst contract of all time.
— Drew (@DrewBanned) June 24, 2026
“Every time I hear mainstream journalists’ salaries ($800K), I am flabbergasted,” wrote Barstool Sports’ Connor Crehan of the “Bold American Pod.”
Every time I hear mainstream journalists’ salaries ($800K) I am flabbergasted https://t.co/J62GtFopyc
— Cons (@CaptainCons) June 24, 2026
However, Barstool Sports’ Jack Mac tweeted that the amount does make sense.
“800k. A bit more than I would’ve guessed, but makes sense as she was a senior reporter brought over from another network….tough job to lose,” he wrote.
800k.
A bit more than I would’ve guessed, but makes sense as she was a senior reporter brought over from another network….tough job to lose. https://t.co/zpTpTDCsfU
— Jack Mac (@JackMac) June 24, 2026
Before she was at The Athletic, Russini spent nearly a decade at ESPN. With Russini having plenty of experience as a notable NFL reporter for the biggest sports network in the world, Mac does have a solid point, especially considering insiders like Adam Schefter and Shams Charania reportedly earn millions of dollars.
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Russini’s massive salary made it even more surprising that she resigned from The Athletic in the aftermath of the controversy.
“Dianna Russini was making nearly $1 million per year as a senior NFL insider of The Athletic. $800,000. Losing a job like that the way she did is rough,” ChatSports’ Chase Senior said on X.
Dianna Russini was making nearly $1 million per year as a senior NFL insider of The Athletic. $800,000.
Losing a job like that the way she did is rough. https://t.co/UzLo2ooRFP
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) June 24, 2026
Outkick’s Bobby Burack posted on X, “People are freaking out that the NY Times said Dianna Russini was making $800,000 a year. I think it was more than that. Maybe that was the lowest year or it’s structured where her podcast was separate. But other agents and reporters were told it was higher.”
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While Russini resigned, Vrabel is still the coach of the New England Patriots. The Patriots will kick off the NFL season with a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl, traveling to Seattle to face the Seahawks in Week 1. This game will take place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
With it being almost July, it seems more than likely that Vrabel will remain the team’s coach. However, only time will tell how things play out for Vrabel.
As for Russini, it remains to be seen what the next chapter of her career will look like. Russini had solidified herself as one of the top NFL insiders prior to the scandal blowing up her career. Now, it seems her days as an NFL insider are over.
She referred to herself as a “former journalist” in text messages with the New York Times reporters, and a friend of Russini’s noted that she views her resignation as “an opportunity to reimagine her career” and spend more time with her children.