Post-Diana Russini plan emerges with CBS reporter in ‘advanced talks’ for new-look role

NFL reporter Jonathan Jones is making significant progress in swapping publications.

CBS’ lead NFL Insider is in advanced talks on a move to The Athletic, according to Front Office Sports.

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Jones joined CBS in 2019 as a senior NFL reporter after previously working at Sports Illustrated and as the Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer.

He was promoted to lead NFL insider in 2022 and became an instrumental part of their ‘NFL Today’ show alongside James Brown, Boomer Esiason, Bill Cowher, Phil Simms and Nate Burleson.

He did not appear on the show in 2025, instead concentrating on producing written work for the website.

Front Office Sports’ provided no specific contract details, but did claim he would not fill Dianna Russini’s old position.

Instead, he would center on features and behind-the-scenes coverage rather than the insider work Russini had done while she was with the publisher.

Nothing has been finalized with Jones, but with another member on their way out, his departure could cause a headache for the network.

The network already have two open slots in it’s fourth broadcast booth, and now potentially, they need to find a new lead NFL insider.

Russini had been The Athletic’s senior NFL insider since 2023 after she left ESPN to join the publication.

The NFL world was sent into a frenzy in April when pictures of her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel ‘holding hands and hugging’ were published in Page Six.

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“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor of The Athletic told the Post.

“These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL, and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”

Days later, Russini resigned from her role with The Athletic after the publication announced it would investigate the pictures.

While Russini’s reputation and credibility took a huge hit, Vrabel’s seems to have been unaffected.

He revealed he had held some difficult conversations with his family and missed day three of the 2026 NFL draft to seek counselling.

There were questions as to whether he would resign from his role as Patriots coach, but those have since faded away.

In his first year in the role, Vrabel guided the Patriots to the Super Bowl in which they were soundly defeated by the Seattle Seahawks.

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Leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl earned him NFL Coach of the Year honors for the second-time in his career, the first coming in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans.

The 50-year-old received 10 of the 50 first place votes, accumulating 302 points which was good enough to earn the award.

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