By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-07 14:57:24 | Updated at 2026-08-07 16:45:00
3 hours ago
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explained how Mike Vrabel can 'quiet some of the noise' this season while discussing the Dianna Russini affair scandal on his NBC debut Thursday night.
Vrabel was at the center of fierce controversy earlier this year when the New York Post published photos of the New England Patriots coach fraternizing with The Athletic's NFL insider Russini at a $2,500-a-night, adults-only retreat in Arizona in March. Both are married with children.
More photos of the pair together emerged in the weeks after, with Russini resigning from her role at The Athletic over the allegations despite vehemently denying all suggestions of an affair.
Vrabel initially denied it too, before later admitting he had started counseling in order 'to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be'.
During his first appearance as an NBC analyst on Thursday night, Tomlin briefly weighed in on the Vrabel-Russini scandal by stressing how important it is for his fellow coach to put some wins together when the NFL season begins next month.
After colleague Devin McCourty questioned whether Vrabel will still have the full support of the Patriots locker room, the Pittsburgh great said: 'When games start, winning matters. And so if they get off to a fast start, they've got a chance to quiet some of that noise.
Mike Tomlin (left) discussed the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini scandal on his NBC debut
Vrabel and Russini were seen fraternizing at an adults-only retreat in Arizona in March
'If they don't, that noise could get extremely loud.'
Fans were quick to praise NBC for not shying away from the topic of the Vrabel-Russini scandal, in light of Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers accusing ESPN of failing to cover it.
'NBC Sports have been the only ones in the mainstream to not back off of this topic. Good for them,' one user wrote on X.
'Glad they didn’t just ignore the issue and act like it didn’t exist,' said another.
While a third put: 'Glad they brought it up wish more networks did'.
During an explosive appearance on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show earlier this week, Rodgers ripped into the network in a 13-minute tirade, alleging that they didn't cover the Vrabel-Russini scandal or Dr. Anthony Fauci's Covid-19 senate hearing properly.
The Super Bowl winner asked McAfee on air: 'What are the network (ESPN) doing?
'You have literally an individual that maybe used to work at ESPN that covers our league at the highest level, and there's a major scandal, and it's just like, nobody can f***ing talk about it? What are we even doing here?'
The NBC 'Football Night in America' crew addresses the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini situation and its impact on the Patriots at halftime of the Hall of Fame Game. pic.twitter.com/Nzep7pBxy3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 7, 2026Vrabel can 'quiet some of the noise' by getting off to a winning start this season, said Tomlin
The 54-year-old legendary head coach stepped down from his job with the Steelers in January
When countered by McAfee's co-host Boston Connor, who claimed 'personal lives are personal lives... I feel like you of all people should know that,' Rodgers added: 'I understand, but if it's affecting certain things.
'If there's leaks going on, if there's tampering going on... if that person is also an MVP voter and a Coach of the Year voter? ... How are we allowing these people to have an impact?'
Tomlin's NBC duties began on Thursday night at this year's Hall of Fame game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio.
The 54-year-old was alongside host Maria Taylor, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and McCourty, as he will be for their primetime 'Sunday Night Football' games in the coming months.
He started with a flourish, too. Tomlin interviewed Panthers quarterback Bryce Young before the game and immediately appeared at ease as he discussed this year's Hall of Fame class.
