Dianna Russini appears set to make a return to NFL coverage after the sports media member’s disgraced exit a few months back.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers still has a lot of questions about her controversial story though, including ESPN’s handling of it. The NFL veteran has been very vocal in the past on “The Pat McAfee Show” about a wide array of topics.
Meanwhile, Rodgers recently went on Cam Heyward’s “Not Just Football” show to discuss a slew of topics. They tackle many angles like Rodgers’ relationship with the media and his own personal struggles with family.
However, his viral reaction to the Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal seems to have caught NFL fans’ attention. This comes months after Russini was dismissed from The Athletic following her alleged inappropriate relationship with the New England Patriots head coach.
MORE: Dianna Russini breaks silence after The Athletic reveals internal review results
Aaron Rodgers rips ESPN’s Dianna Russini coverage
Rodgers doesn’t exactly rub the sports media community the right way with his conspiracy theories. However, in the case of Russini and Vrabel’s story he does bring up some interesting points about ESPN and the network’s handling of it.
“I also said you’re a gutless organization because they haven’t said anything,” Rodgers said when attacking ESPN’s coverage. “They spend so much time on certain issues but you won’t talk one second on the Dianna Russini situation.
“What just happened let’s see the owner of the 49ers solicited a prostitute for $140 in Ohio. That literally was the number one topic when you click on ESPN.com … But does that have the same effect as a reporter who’s you know has (alleged) intimate relations with a coach who has a vote for MVP has a vote for coach of the year.”
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To his point, ESPN devoted significant time to San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York’s story in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the network appeared to go through great lengths to avoid discussing Russini and Vrabel for much of the NFL offseason.
Rodgers and the Steelers kick off their 2026 campaign on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Pittsburgh is coming off a blowout Wild Card exit last season against the Houston Texans.
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