Unique England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will miss a fragment of the NFL Draft and undergo counseling within the wake of photos emerging of himself and aged NFL reporter Dianna Russini together, the crew said Thursday.
Vrabel won’t be with the Patriots on Saturday staunch via the third day of the NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night.
“As I said the opposite day, I promised my household, this group and this crew that I became as soon as going to present them the fitting version of me that I can presumably give them,” Vrabel said in observation Wednesday. “In declare to attain so, I in level of truth regain committed to looking out out counseling, beginning this weekend.”
On Thursday, earlier than the beginning up of the draft, Vrabel took questions from journalists, and left open the different of him spending extra time far off from the crew ultimately.
“I can’t reply that,” Vrabel said when asked if he would miss any longer football actions. “I can most interesting remark that no topic my household needs, that’s what I’m going to offer. But I moreover brand what’s mandatory for me here.”
The crew said Wednesday it backs Vrabel.
“The Unique England Patriots fully merit Mike Vrabel’s resolution to prioritize his household first, as nicely as his possess nicely-being,” according to a team statement. “Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the fitting version of himself for his household, this crew and our followers, and we appreciate the steps he is taking to follow via on that commitment.”
The team added Vrabel’s absence won’t impact the team’s late-round drafting process, which will be run by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.
“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process,” the Patriots said in an announcement.
When the Unique York Post first launched photos of Vrabel defending hands with aged Athletic reporter Russini, the coach at first pushed aside the photos as “laughable.” Russini moreover downplayed the photos, telling the Post: “Fancy most journalists within the NFL, journalists work in conjunction with sources far off from stadiums and other venues.”
The Athletic, Russini’s then-employer, defended her when the photos were launched. But she resigned on April 14 amid an investigation into her habits. That identical day, The Athletic’s government editor said “original questions were raised” when the outlet, which is owned by The Unique York Instances, uncovered extra knowledge.
Vrabel first addressed journalists Tuesday, asserting that he “had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.”
On Wednesday, the Unique York Post published extra photos of Russini and Vrabel together, this time having breakfast together at the Arizona resort they were first photographed at.
On Thursday, the Post launched a listing of Vrabel and Russini appearing to kiss at a Unique York Metropolis bar in 2020. Later, TMZ launched photos of the pair at a casino together in 2024, almost instantly after Vrabel became as soon as fired from the Tennessee Titans.
When asked how the photos went from comic to him stepping away, Vrabel said Thursday: “That’s a non-public and non-public topic. I form now not possess that those feedback — I possess that became as soon as, , continuously an strive to guard your loved ones.”
Vrabel, the 2025 NFL coach of the year, led Unique England to a whimsical Wide Bowl bustle in his first year at the helm, taking up the franchise after three straight losing seasons and consecutive 4-13 campaigns.
The aged Patriots player had previously been head coach of the Titans. He guided that club to four winning years earlier than he became as soon as let dawdle after back-to-back losing seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Despite Russini ‘s departure from her job, there’ve been no indications that Vrabel’s job could well be in jeopardy.
Russini has now not commented publicly relating to the topic since her resignation.
