NFL

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini's Arizona hangout raised plenty of eyebrows ... but turns out, that was just a rerun.

Newly released photos from March 2020, obtained by Page Six, show the now Patriots head coach and the former NFL reporter looking very cozy -- and at one point kissing -- at a dimly lit SoHo bar in NYC ... and yeah, this doesn’t scream quick drink between colleagues.

The two are posted up side by side under red lights, leaning in close and locked into conversation. They're handsy ... at one point holding hands while Vrabel also has his hand on Russini's thigh and holding her arm. Not exactly subtle.

Fernando Mendoza will be the first pick in the NFL Draft, but the Heisman Trophy winner isn't the consensus among everyone ... according to Lions star Terrion Arnold, who says Ty Simpson is actually Him!

"You know, I'm biased, but I think [Ty's] the best," the 23-year-old cornerback told TMZ Sports ahead of Thursday's draft.

FYI, Arnold and Simpson played two seasons together at Alabama, 2022 and 2023. During their last year together, Terrion was a star -- an All-American -- while Ty was still only a backup QB.

"[He's] somebody that's really seen the game from all angles. Like, when it got hard, Ty didn't run. He was in the smoke. He put his head down. He worked. He waited for his opportunity. And when his time came, he was prepared for it. So he's somebody that you know is going to be prepared for the moment."

There's uncertainty over where T.S. will be drafted, with different mocks having him going anywhere from the 13th pick (to Terrion's team, the Lions) ... or sliding all the way to the early 2nd round.

Arnold, the 24th overall pick in 2024, had some words of wisdom for everyone who will be drafted over the next few days.

"My advice is just run your own race," Terrion says ... pointing out some players have immediate success, while others don't. Ultimately, no one else matters.

"Go out there and try to be a better version of yourself and just be in a competition with yourself. I feel like, man, the possibilities are endless."

Arnold has been busy training and prepping for the season, while also doing a ton in his community.

2:15: PM PT -- Dave Merritt entered a not guilty plea in court on Thursday ... and he has since bonded out.

He's due back in court in June.

Former NFL player and current Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was arrested for domestic battery on Wednesday ... after reportedly causing bodily harm to "a daughter."

The 54-year-old was arrested around 9 PM in Overland Park ... and was booked into jail without bond, according to the Kansas City Star.

A complaint was filed with the Johnson County District Attorney's Office on Thursday ... claiming Merritt "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly" caused bodily harm to a daughter -- a domestic violence offense, the outlet reported.

Mike Vrabel's decision to skip out on Day 3 of the NFL draft for counseling isn't sitting well with one of the most popular Patriots fans alive -- Dave Portnoy says he's all for the coach getting help ... but it's the timing that has him irked.

The New England coach revealed Wednesday night he was seeking help to be "the best version of me" for his family and the team ... and he was getting the ball rolling this weekend after Page Six published more snaps from his time with Dianna Russini in Arizona last month.

The decision means the Pats will pick their new players in rounds 4-7 without their coach ... and the Barstool Sports honcho isn't too pleased about it.

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling amid his tawdry scandal involving former Athletic journalist Dianna Russini.

In a statement Wednesday, Vrabel said he would be headed to counseling this weekend while also spending time with his family outside of Massachusetts. As a result, Vrabel will miss Saturday's third day of the NFL draft.

In addition, Vrabel repeated his vow, promising to give his wife, Jen, their two sons, and the Patriots organization, "the best version of me that I can possibly give them."

Jerry Jones was holding court at a pre-draft press conference on Wednesday when things took a wobbly turn ... the president almost fell in front of the president!

The 83-year-old owner of America's Team stopped speaking mid-answer as his face suddenly lit up, pointing to the door, and saying, "The President is here to say 'hello.'"

Cue Bill Clinton, who suddenly appeared in the briefing room at the Cowboys facility in Frisco, TX.

Puka Nacua was officially served with a lawsuit from his bite accuser right in the middle of his rehab stint, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to docs we obtained, three different process servers showed up at the L.A. Rams superstar's holistic care facility in Malibu earlier this month.

It seems as if the servers were tipped off on his whereabouts from news coverage ... as the attempts started just days after we reported Nacua was focused on "personal growth" amid treatment.

Vernon Davis' assault and battery case stemming from an alleged incident in June 2025 has been dismissed ... TMZ Sports has learned.

It's unclear why the case was dropped, but the former superstar tight end addressed the development in a statement ... saying he's "grateful" to put the situation behind him.

"This has been a challenging and deeply personal time, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood by me with love, encouragement, and support throughout the process. Your belief in me meant more than words can express."

The Raiders are just a couple of days away from drafting their franchise quarterback, but the team is mourning today after the passing of Rod Martin, hero of Super Bowl XV.

Martin was 72.

"Rod Martin was a standout linebacker who helped the franchise to victories in Super Bowls XV and XVIII," the Raiders announced Tuesday morning.

"He forever secured his place in Raiders lore with a record-breaking three-interception performance in the Silver and Black’s Super Bowl XV triumph over the Eagles."

Dianna Russini should probably change her LinkedIn bio to "Good Samaritan" ... because that might be her new career path.

Just one day after resigning from The Athletic, Russini reportedly rescued an elderly man and his dog from a car crash in Wyckoff, NJ ... according to Page Six.

An eyewitness told the outlet she was driving on the same road when the wreck happened, and stopped to help.

Police Lt. Joseph Soto told the local Patch affiliate that a 17-year-old in a Honda Civic turned left onto Cedar Hill Avenue from Sicomac Avenue and collided with a Jeep.

Soto told the outlet the Jeep turned onto its side from the impact, trapping its 73-year-old driver and a dog in the car.

LA Knight and The Uso's may be on Logan Paul's mind, but someone who ain't ... Tom Brady, as the G.O.A.T. is once again catching strays from The Maverick, who unleashed on TB12 from the site of WrestleMania in Sin City!

TMZ's Inside The Ring caught up with Logan at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas ahead of an action-packed weekend and asked if he’s prepared for the possibility of Brady popping up. Paul didn’t hesitate to fire back.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s washed up,” Logan told us, adding Brady already “was beaten by a YouTuber slash wrestler in his own sport.”

Logan’s referring to their viral showdown at the Fanatics football just a few weeks ago ... when he went toe-to-toe with Tom on the gridiron and came out on top -- something he clearly hasn’t let the seven-time Super Bowl champ forget.

Alshon Jeffery's insurance fraud arrest apparently stems from a fender bender earlier this year ... and the ex-NFL star is confident his name will be cleared once all the details surrounding the matter come to light.

TMZ Sports has obtained a statement from the 36-year-old's Super Bowl champ's rep, Denise White ... who said her client "categorically denies the allegations."

"The underlying incident was a minor freeway fender bender, and he provided his information at the scene," the statement read.

The Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel sports scandal has claimed another victim ... NFL reporter Crissy Froyd, TMZ has learned.

Crissy tells us she was sacked on Thursday from USA Today ... just days after she blasted Dianna's resignation.

Crissy tells TMZ she's "beyond distraught" ... especially because Nancy Armour did a story for the network expressing a similar sentiment about Dianna without punishment.

Pacman Jones can breathe a massive sigh of relief ... the former NFL star was sentenced to five years of probation in his officer assault case on Tuesday -- after staring a year and a half in prison right in the eyes.

Jones went before Judge Patricia Summe in Kenton County, Kentucky on Tuesday ... wearing a dark-colored suit for the occasion.

Jones shared a prepared statement in court -- apologizing for his actions in June 2025 and stating he didn't realize he had hit "rock bottom" until after the incident.

Dianna Russini might've been sidelined by her bosses, but it's quite literally "business as usual" in Foxborough for Mike Vrabel, according to the Patriots, who say the head coach is hard at work prepping for the NFL Draft.

Pats EVP of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf, met with the media in New England, and was asked about Vrabel's participation as the scandal involving him and The Athletic reporter continues to be the most talked about story in sports and media.

"[Mike is] very involved. Business as usual," Wolf said. "He's been in there with us probably this round of meetings a little bit more than last year."

Rueben Bain Jr. was the driver in a fatal accident in 2024, according to a new report ... as the University of Miami star prepares for the NFL Draft, where he's a near lock first-round draft pick.

Bain, now 21, was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV with three other passengers -- Canes teammates Nyjalik Kelly and Wesley Bissainthe, and a 22-year-old woman, Destiny Betts, on March 17, 2024.

Around 4 AM, Rueben rear-ended another vehicle, according to The Read Optional, sending his SUV careening into multiple concrete barriers.