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Deadspin | Photos from ’20 show Mike Vrabel, Diana Russini kissing Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Newly surfaced photos appear to show Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini kissing in a New York City bar back in 2020. The New York Post’s Page Six published the photos Thursday, one day after the New England Patriots head coach announced that he will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday to attend counseling. The scandal began on April 7 when the Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini, then an NFL reporter for The Athletic, holding hands and hugging at a luxury resort in Sedona, Ariz. The pictures published Thursday were supposedly taken at the Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020 and appear to show the pair sitting close together at the bar and sharing a kiss. “They were kissing and they were all over each other. He had a ring on,” an eyewitness told Page Six. At the time of the photos on March 11, 2020 — remembered as the day COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization — Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and was already married to his current wife, while Russini was engaged to her current husband. Vrabel, 50, gave a statement to the Post for Thursday’s story. “As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them. “I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be,” Vrabel continued. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.” Vrabel will be with the Patriots on Thursday night when they make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 31 overall, and also when they choose players late in the second and third rounds on Friday. He will be absent for the last four rounds on Saturday. Russini resigned from The Athletic last week amid an investigation by the New York Times-run organization into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. When the Arizona photos initially came out, Vrabel said the pictures “show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.” Vrabel became the head coach of the Patriots — one of the teams for which he played — ahead of the 2025 season and guided New England to Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13. Vrabel earned his second AP NFL Coach of the Year honor last season after winning the award in 2021 when he led the Titans. He was Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-23. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Photos #show #Mike #Vrabel #Diana #Russini #kissing

Deadspin | Photos from ’20 show Mike Vrabel, Diana Russini kissing
Deadspin | Photos from ’20 show Mike Vrabel, Diana Russini kissing Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Newly surfaced photos appear to show Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini kissing in a New York City bar back in 2020. The New York Post’s Page Six published the photos Thursday, one day after the New England Patriots head coach announced that he will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday to attend counseling. The scandal began on April 7 when the Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini, then an NFL reporter for The Athletic, holding hands and hugging at a luxury resort in Sedona, Ariz. The pictures published Thursday were supposedly taken at the Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020 and appear to show the pair sitting close together at the bar and sharing a kiss. “They were kissing and they were all over each other. He had a ring on,” an eyewitness told Page Six. At the time of the photos on March 11, 2020 — remembered as the day COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization — Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and was already married to his current wife, while Russini was engaged to her current husband. Vrabel, 50, gave a statement to the Post for Thursday’s story. “As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them. “I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be,” Vrabel continued. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.” Vrabel will be with the Patriots on Thursday night when they make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 31 overall, and also when they choose players late in the second and third rounds on Friday. He will be absent for the last four rounds on Saturday. Russini resigned from The Athletic last week amid an investigation by the New York Times-run organization into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. When the Arizona photos initially came out, Vrabel said the pictures “show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.” Vrabel became the head coach of the Patriots — one of the teams for which he played — ahead of the 2025 season and guided New England to Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13. Vrabel earned his second AP NFL Coach of the Year honor last season after winning the award in 2021 when he led the Titans. He was Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-23. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Photos #show #Mike #Vrabel #Diana #Russini #kissingMar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Newly surfaced photos appear to show Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini kissing in a New York City bar back in 2020.

The New York Post’s Page Six published the photos Thursday, one day after the New England Patriots head coach announced that he will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday to attend counseling.

The scandal began on April 7 when the Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini, then an NFL reporter for The Athletic, holding hands and hugging at a luxury resort in Sedona, Ariz.

The pictures published Thursday were supposedly taken at the Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020 and appear to show the pair sitting close together at the bar and sharing a kiss. “They were kissing and they were all over each other. He had a ring on,” an eyewitness told Page Six.

At the time of the photos on March 11, 2020 — remembered as the day COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization — Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and was already married to his current wife, while Russini was engaged to her current husband.

Vrabel, 50, gave a statement to the Post for Thursday’s story.


“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.

“I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be,” Vrabel continued. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”

Vrabel will be with the Patriots on Thursday night when they make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 31 overall, and also when they choose players late in the second and third rounds on Friday. He will be absent for the last four rounds on Saturday.

Russini resigned from The Athletic last week amid an investigation by the New York Times-run organization into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

When the Arizona photos initially came out, Vrabel said the pictures “show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

Vrabel became the head coach of the Patriots — one of the teams for which he played — ahead of the 2025 season and guided New England to Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.

Vrabel earned his second AP NFL Coach of the Year honor last season after winning the award in 2021 when he led the Titans. He was Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-23.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Photos #show #Mike #Vrabel #Diana #Russini #kissing

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Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Newly surfaced photos appear to show Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini kissing in a New York City bar back in 2020.

The New York Post’s Page Six published the photos Thursday, one day after the New England Patriots head coach announced that he will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday to attend counseling.

The scandal began on April 7 when the Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini, then an NFL reporter for The Athletic, holding hands and hugging at a luxury resort in Sedona, Ariz.

The pictures published Thursday were supposedly taken at the Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020 and appear to show the pair sitting close together at the bar and sharing a kiss. “They were kissing and they were all over each other. He had a ring on,” an eyewitness told Page Six.

At the time of the photos on March 11, 2020 — remembered as the day COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization — Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and was already married to his current wife, while Russini was engaged to her current husband.

Vrabel, 50, gave a statement to the Post for Thursday’s story.

“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.

“I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be,” Vrabel continued. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”

Vrabel will be with the Patriots on Thursday night when they make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 31 overall, and also when they choose players late in the second and third rounds on Friday. He will be absent for the last four rounds on Saturday.

Russini resigned from The Athletic last week amid an investigation by the New York Times-run organization into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

When the Arizona photos initially came out, Vrabel said the pictures “show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

Vrabel became the head coach of the Patriots — one of the teams for which he played — ahead of the 2025 season and guided New England to Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.

Vrabel earned his second AP NFL Coach of the Year honor last season after winning the award in 2021 when he led the Titans. He was Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-23.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama (concussion) traveling with Spurs <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28780498.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28780498.jpg" alt="NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after falling to the ground during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Victor Wembanyama will travel with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for playoff games this weekend while going through the league’s concussion protocol.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Thursday that the star center is “progressing” and has not been ruled out for Game 3 against the Trail Blazers on Friday night. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The best-of-seven first-round Western Conference Series is tied at 1-1 with Game 4 also in Portland on Sunday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“He looks good,” Johnson said. “The update is that he is following each protocol, he’s progressing and he’ll travel with the team.”</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“To my knowledge, we haven’t even had that discussion (about ruling Wembanyama out),” Johnson continued. “The protocol is the protocol. The league is who’s mostly at the top of that. We’ll just hope that he continues to progress. Whenever that timing is, that’s when it will be.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>“We’ll just kind of keep going through the protocol, and hopefully he continues to progress. It’s pretty straightforward. So, obviously we hope he’ll be back at some point. But we’ll allow the protocol to play out. There’s nothing more important than his health.”</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Wembanyama, the unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year, sustained the concussion during the Trail Blazers’ 106-103 win in San Antonio in Game 2 on Tuesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>He hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket with 8:57 remaining in the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The Spurs had some success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, 22, averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-leading 3.1 blocks in 64 games (55 starts) in the regular season. He scored 35 points in San Antonio’s 111-98 win in Game 1 last Sunday but finished Tuesday’s loss with five points in 12 minutes.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #concussion #traveling #Spurs

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Deadspin | Inaugural Bill Walton Classic set for Nov. 7 with heavy San Diego flavor Bill Walton with sons Luke (left) a player with Arizona and Chris, a player with San Diego State, before a game at Cox Arena on Dec. 7, 2002. The inaugural Bill Walton Classic will be played on Nov. 7 in San Diego, the Hall of Famer’s longstanding residence until his death due to cancer on May 27, 2024, at age 71. San Diego State will play a to-be-determined opponent in the men’s half of a doubleheader. Walton was a fixture at games on the SDSU campus when his son, Chris, played for the Aztecs from 2000-05. Walton was born in suburban La Mesa, minutes from the San Diego State campus. The doubleheader will be played at Pechanga Arena, which was known as the San Diego Sports Arena when Walton played games there as a member of the NBA’s San Diego Clippers in the early 1980s. “This is long overdue,” San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said at a press conference at Helix High in La Mesa. “Bill Walton was a treasure and anything we can do to put his name out there, we’re all for it.” Walton first came into national prominence when he starred at Helix High before attending UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. Walton led the Bruins to two national titles, highlighted by his 21-of-22 shooting performance while scoring 44 points in an 87-66 rout of Memphis State in the 1973 title game. The Portland Trail Blazers selected “the Big Red Head” with the No. 1 pick in the 1974 NBA draft. Three years later, Walton led the Blazers to their lone NBA title. After suffering through years of foot injuries, he earned another ring with the Boston Celtics in 1986 to cap his 468-game NBA career. He was league MVP in the 1977-78 season for Portland. Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. He continued to be a popular figure in his post-basketball life as a television commentator who would say off-the-cuff things and talk about this favorite band, the Grateful Dead. “I’d love to wear something tie-dyed for that game,” Dutcher told reporters, referencing Walton’s love for such clothing. The other Bill Walton Classic contest will be a women’s game between two local institutions: the University of San Diego and UC San Diego. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Inaugural #Bill #Walton #Classic #set #Nov #heavy #San #Diego #flavorBill Walton with sons Luke (left) a player with Arizona and Chris, a player with San Diego State, before a game at Cox Arena on Dec. 7, 2002.

The inaugural Bill Walton Classic will be played on Nov. 7 in San Diego, the Hall of Famer’s longstanding residence until his death due to cancer on May 27, 2024, at age 71.

San Diego State will play a to-be-determined opponent in the men’s half of a doubleheader. Walton was a fixture at games on the SDSU campus when his son, Chris, played for the Aztecs from 2000-05.

Walton was born in suburban La Mesa, minutes from the San Diego State campus. The doubleheader will be played at Pechanga Arena, which was known as the San Diego Sports Arena when Walton played games there as a member of the NBA’s San Diego Clippers in the early 1980s.

“This is long overdue,” San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said at a press conference at Helix High in La Mesa. “Bill Walton was a treasure and anything we can do to put his name out there, we’re all for it.”


Walton first came into national prominence when he starred at Helix High before attending UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. Walton led the Bruins to two national titles, highlighted by his 21-of-22 shooting performance while scoring 44 points in an 87-66 rout of Memphis State in the 1973 title game.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected “the Big Red Head” with the No. 1 pick in the 1974 NBA draft. Three years later, Walton led the Blazers to their lone NBA title. After suffering through years of foot injuries, he earned another ring with the Boston Celtics in 1986 to cap his 468-game NBA career. He was league MVP in the 1977-78 season for Portland.

Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. He continued to be a popular figure in his post-basketball life as a television commentator who would say off-the-cuff things and talk about this favorite band, the Grateful Dead.

“I’d love to wear something tie-dyed for that game,” Dutcher told reporters, referencing Walton’s love for such clothing.

The other Bill Walton Classic contest will be a women’s game between two local institutions: the University of San Diego and UC San Diego.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Inaugural #Bill #Walton #Classic #set #Nov #heavy #San #Diego #flavor">Deadspin | Inaugural Bill Walton Classic set for Nov. 7 with heavy San Diego flavor Bill Walton with sons Luke (left) a player with Arizona and Chris, a player with San Diego State, before a game at Cox Arena on Dec. 7, 2002. The inaugural Bill Walton Classic will be played on Nov. 7 in San Diego, the Hall of Famer’s longstanding residence until his death due to cancer on May 27, 2024, at age 71. San Diego State will play a to-be-determined opponent in the men’s half of a doubleheader. Walton was a fixture at games on the SDSU campus when his son, Chris, played for the Aztecs from 2000-05. Walton was born in suburban La Mesa, minutes from the San Diego State campus. The doubleheader will be played at Pechanga Arena, which was known as the San Diego Sports Arena when Walton played games there as a member of the NBA’s San Diego Clippers in the early 1980s. “This is long overdue,” San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said at a press conference at Helix High in La Mesa. “Bill Walton was a treasure and anything we can do to put his name out there, we’re all for it.” Walton first came into national prominence when he starred at Helix High before attending UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. Walton led the Bruins to two national titles, highlighted by his 21-of-22 shooting performance while scoring 44 points in an 87-66 rout of Memphis State in the 1973 title game. The Portland Trail Blazers selected “the Big Red Head” with the No. 1 pick in the 1974 NBA draft. Three years later, Walton led the Blazers to their lone NBA title. After suffering through years of foot injuries, he earned another ring with the Boston Celtics in 1986 to cap his 468-game NBA career. He was league MVP in the 1977-78 season for Portland. Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. He continued to be a popular figure in his post-basketball life as a television commentator who would say off-the-cuff things and talk about this favorite band, the Grateful Dead. “I’d love to wear something tie-dyed for that game,” Dutcher told reporters, referencing Walton’s love for such clothing. The other Bill Walton Classic contest will be a women’s game between two local institutions: the University of San Diego and UC San Diego. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Inaugural #Bill #Walton #Classic #set #Nov #heavy #San #Diego #flavor

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said Thursday that he often struggles to understand the interpretation of the rules of football since the implementation of VAR.

“Sometimes the supporters can’t understand some interpretations of the rules. I can’t understand it many times,” Ceferin said during a conference in Madrid.

“For example, the handball, nobody understands it. Is it a penalty? Is it not a penalty? Nobody knows. It was intentional, how do you know? You’re not a psychiatrist.”

The head of the governing body of European football also bemoaned the length of time some VAR interventions take on the pitch.

“We try to explain to the referees that the referee on the pitch is the one that decides,” Ceferin said.

“And only if it’s a clear and obvious mistake, you intervene. And even interventions should be fast, not just in Spanish league. I saw it in Premier League, sometimes 10-15 minutes of watching something.”

He also called for a greater harmonisation of the interpretation of the rules across Europe’s different domestic leagues.

“I see that sometimes referees who are refereeing on the European level are refereeing differently than in their own leagues,” the Slovenian said.

“Because they have different referee bosses in the leagues. So I think we should, because it’s one game and it should be the same way.”

Ceferin added that the best way to avoid mistakes was to “strictly try to obey” the International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#UEFA #president #Ceferin #understand #refereeing #decisions">UEFA president Ceferin ‘can’t understand’ many refereeing decisions UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said Thursday that he often struggles to understand the interpretation of the rules of football since the implementation of VAR.“Sometimes the supporters can’t understand some interpretations of the rules. I can’t understand it many times,” Ceferin said during a conference in Madrid.“For example, the handball, nobody understands it. Is it a penalty? Is it not a penalty? Nobody knows. It was intentional, how do you know? You’re not a psychiatrist.”The head of the governing body of European football also bemoaned the length of time some VAR interventions take on the pitch.“We try to explain to the referees that the referee on the pitch is the one that decides,” Ceferin said.“And only if it’s a clear and obvious mistake, you intervene. And even interventions should be fast, not just in Spanish league. I saw it in Premier League, sometimes 10-15 minutes of watching something.”He also called for a greater harmonisation of the interpretation of the rules across Europe’s different domestic leagues.“I see that sometimes referees who are refereeing on the European level are refereeing differently than in their own leagues,” the Slovenian said.“Because they have different referee bosses in the leagues. So I think we should, because it’s one game and it should be the same way.”Ceferin added that the best way to avoid mistakes was to “strictly try to obey” the International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #UEFA #president #Ceferin #understand #refereeing #decisions

Deadspin | Who’s No. 2? Books shifting from Arvell Reese to David Bailey for Jets Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman David Bailey (DL31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The New York Jets continue to hold their cards close to the vest when it comes to the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. But the most popular online sportsbooks think they see a tell: Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey has passed Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese as the favorite to be selected immediately after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hears his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders. Twenty-four hours ago, BetMGM listed Reese at -400 as the favorite to go No. 2 while Bailey could be secured at +200. At that time, Bailey had been backed by the most total bets at 21.2% and Reese by the most money at 37.2%. But by Wednesday night, Bailey moved into the favorite’s role at -145 while Reese has plummeted to +110. DraftKings, meanwhile, listed Bailey as -150 to go No. 2 with Reese at +115 and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love a distant third at +8000. This seismic surge occurred despite Bailey having his “top 30” visit to Jets headquarters canceled by the team. Jets coach Aaron Glenn downplayed not bringing Bailey in for a pre-draft visit, then Bailey supported that view Wednesday by saying he has spent plenty of time with the team’s brass and recently caught up with them on FaceTime. Yet another question: Will the Jets hold on to that second overall pick? New York owns five of the top 103 selections in the draft and could opt to move down or stay put at No. 2 and/or No. 16 on Thursday night. The Jets also have a pair of second-round picks on Friday night. If the team stays put at No. 2, the question between Bailey and Reese has been one of the more interesting pre-draft debates. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese ranks the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 draft by Field Level Media, followed immediately by the 6-3, 247-pound Bailey. Bailey tied for the NCAA lead with 14.5 sacks last season and is a weight-room warrior who explodes off the ball. He has been compared to Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who faced similar questions about his potential as a run defender coming out of Oklahoma prior to the 2022 draft. Reese could be a reliable edge setter in a 3-4 or a thumping presence in the middle of a 4-3. He also can stick with tight ends in coverage, and provides a tantalizing combination of tools and versatility. A comp to retired pass rusher Barkevious Mingo, who by all accounts failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, might have many NFL personnel in the Jets’ shoes favoring Bailey. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Whos #Books #shifting #Arvell #Reese #David #Bailey #JetsFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman David Bailey (DL31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The New York Jets continue to hold their cards close to the vest when it comes to the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

But the most popular online sportsbooks think they see a tell: Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey has passed Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese as the favorite to be selected immediately after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hears his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Twenty-four hours ago, BetMGM listed Reese at -400 as the favorite to go No. 2 while Bailey could be secured at +200. At that time, Bailey had been backed by the most total bets at 21.2% and Reese by the most money at 37.2%. But by Wednesday night, Bailey moved into the favorite’s role at -145 while Reese has plummeted to +110.

DraftKings, meanwhile, listed Bailey as -150 to go No. 2 with Reese at +115 and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love a distant third at +8000.

This seismic surge occurred despite Bailey having his “top 30” visit to Jets headquarters canceled by the team. Jets coach Aaron Glenn downplayed not bringing Bailey in for a pre-draft visit, then Bailey supported that view Wednesday by saying he has spent plenty of time with the team’s brass and recently caught up with them on FaceTime.


Yet another question: Will the Jets hold on to that second overall pick?

New York owns five of the top 103 selections in the draft and could opt to move down or stay put at No. 2 and/or No. 16 on Thursday night. The Jets also have a pair of second-round picks on Friday night.

If the team stays put at No. 2, the question between Bailey and Reese has been one of the more interesting pre-draft debates.

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese ranks the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 draft by Field Level Media, followed immediately by the 6-3, 247-pound Bailey.

Bailey tied for the NCAA lead with 14.5 sacks last season and is a weight-room warrior who explodes off the ball. He has been compared to Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who faced similar questions about his potential as a run defender coming out of Oklahoma prior to the 2022 draft.

Reese could be a reliable edge setter in a 3-4 or a thumping presence in the middle of a 4-3. He also can stick with tight ends in coverage, and provides a tantalizing combination of tools and versatility. A comp to retired pass rusher Barkevious Mingo, who by all accounts failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, might have many NFL personnel in the Jets’ shoes favoring Bailey.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Whos #Books #shifting #Arvell #Reese #David #Bailey #Jets">Deadspin | Who’s No. 2? Books shifting from Arvell Reese to David Bailey for Jets Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman David Bailey (DL31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The New York Jets continue to hold their cards close to the vest when it comes to the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. But the most popular online sportsbooks think they see a tell: Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey has passed Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese as the favorite to be selected immediately after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hears his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders. Twenty-four hours ago, BetMGM listed Reese at -400 as the favorite to go No. 2 while Bailey could be secured at +200. At that time, Bailey had been backed by the most total bets at 21.2% and Reese by the most money at 37.2%. But by Wednesday night, Bailey moved into the favorite’s role at -145 while Reese has plummeted to +110. DraftKings, meanwhile, listed Bailey as -150 to go No. 2 with Reese at +115 and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love a distant third at +8000. This seismic surge occurred despite Bailey having his “top 30” visit to Jets headquarters canceled by the team. Jets coach Aaron Glenn downplayed not bringing Bailey in for a pre-draft visit, then Bailey supported that view Wednesday by saying he has spent plenty of time with the team’s brass and recently caught up with them on FaceTime. Yet another question: Will the Jets hold on to that second overall pick? New York owns five of the top 103 selections in the draft and could opt to move down or stay put at No. 2 and/or No. 16 on Thursday night. The Jets also have a pair of second-round picks on Friday night. If the team stays put at No. 2, the question between Bailey and Reese has been one of the more interesting pre-draft debates. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese ranks the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 draft by Field Level Media, followed immediately by the 6-3, 247-pound Bailey. Bailey tied for the NCAA lead with 14.5 sacks last season and is a weight-room warrior who explodes off the ball. He has been compared to Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who faced similar questions about his potential as a run defender coming out of Oklahoma prior to the 2022 draft. Reese could be a reliable edge setter in a 3-4 or a thumping presence in the middle of a 4-3. He also can stick with tight ends in coverage, and provides a tantalizing combination of tools and versatility. A comp to retired pass rusher Barkevious Mingo, who by all accounts failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, might have many NFL personnel in the Jets’ shoes favoring Bailey. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Whos #Books #shifting #Arvell #Reese #David #Bailey #Jets

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