Dianna Russini could have a hard time returning to media following Mike Vrabel scandal

Dianna Russini has not made a public statement since announcing her resignation from The Athletic in April, following a series of leaks that showed her spending time privately with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.

Perhaps most bizarrely, TMZ reported that it had obtained records from a private boating trip involving the two six years earlier, months before the former NFL reporter gave birth to her first child.

According to the New York Post, Russini is now seeking a return to the media.

She recently hired crisis publicist Melissa Nathan to help her "navigate past the Mike Vrabel scandal." One could argue that Nathan's first piece of advice should have been not to leak that Russini hired a crisis publicist.

On the surface, we are skeptical that any serious journalism outlet would hire Russini as an NFL reporter, a position she held for more than two decades.

Rumors shape perception, and perception often becomes reality.

The perception surrounding Russini is that she obtained information unethically because of an inappropriate relationship with Vrabel , romantic or otherwise.

Any significant story she breaks would invite questions about how she obtained the information.

The controversy could also make sources more reluctant to provide her with sensitive information.

That said, Russini did not hurt anyone.

At worst, she violated a basic journalistic ethical standard by failing to disclose a close personal relationship with an NFL coach she covered professionally.

Her entire career does not deserve to end because of that.

She may simply have to transition into a different role.

Fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry told OutKick in August that he would "consider" signing Russini as an analyst for his media company, Fantasy Life.