Chase Daniel, former host of Dianna Russini’s “Scoop City” podcast, has broken his silence about his controversial photo scandal with sportswriter Mike Vrabel.
“Look, it’s unfortunate in a lot of ways,” the former NFL pro said when asked about the drama on Thursday’s episode of “The Jim Rome Show.” “We don’t really talk about it. We don’t do anything like that, so we’ll leave it at that. That’s their job.”
But Daniel added that the storyline has become “quite a task” of late, with nearly every media outlet covering the news since Page Six published photos of Russini and Vrabel together at a resort in March.
“I’m sure she’ll land on her feet somewhere. That’s all I really have to say about that,” he said.
Russini and Daniel previously co-hosted The Athletic’s Scoop City podcast, but the show was canceled after Russini resigned from the station last month after he was photographed mingling with Vrabel at a luxury resort in Sedona.
During the same vacation, the two were also spotted having breakfast on the patio and relaxing by the pool.
Russini, who has been married to Kevin Goldschmidt since 2020, and Vrabel, who has been married to his wife Jen since 1999, said multiple friends joined them on the trip, although multiple witnesses disputed the claims.
When asked for comment, Russini said: “The photo does not represent the group of six people who were playing during the day.” “Like most NFL journalists, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Vrabel also released a statement, saying: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable and deserves no further response.”
Russini resigned as The Athletic’s senior NFL insider after being removed from the story by The New York Times last month.
Meanwhile, Vrabel said he will miss Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to “seek counseling” but will continue to serve as the head coach of the New England Patriots.
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to put his family first, not just his own well-being,” the team said in a statement last month.
“Mike has been candid with us about his determination to be the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans. We respect the steps he is taking to live up to that commitment.”
Last month, Page Six also published new snapshots of Vrabel and Russini hanging out at a New York City bar in 2020, with a source claiming they were “kissing” and “leaning on top of each other” in the dimly lit interior.
The drama escalated in 2021 when photos surfaced of Russini and Vrabel, who was pregnant at the time, allegedly renting a private boat in Putnam County, Tennessee, where they spent several hours together.
Despite recent headlines, the former ESPN reporter put up a united front with her husband on Mother’s Day. She was photographed holding one of her sons around her waist and kissing him.
“Local residents say they are very resilient as a family,” a source told Page Six about the couple. “They weren’t hiding.”
