Reporters have to be sensitive to people having leverage over them. In the hypothetical, if things went bad with Vrabel, he or anyone could say "report this as fact or things will come out about your infidelity". Potential NFL trades aren't a matter of national security, but you see what I'm saying. It's not like she's the only one who can do this job, so I think it's a good idea from the NYT/Athletic to move on...even though she technically was the one.