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New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will miss a portion of the NFL Draft and undergo counseling in the wake of photos emerging of himself and former NFL reporter Dianna Russini together, the team said Thursday.
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Vrabel will not be with the Patriots on Saturday during the third day of the NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night.
“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,” Vrabel said in statement Wednesday. “In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend.”
On Thursday, ahead of the start of the draft, Vrabel took questions from reporters, and left open the possibility of him spending more time away from the team in the future.
“I can’t answer that,” Vrabel said when asked if he would miss any more football activities. “I can only say that whatever my family needs, that’s what I’m going to provide. But I also understand what’s needed for me here.”
The team said Wednesday it backs Vrabel.
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being,” according to a team statement. “Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through 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 a statement.
When the New York Post first released photos of Vrabel holding hands with former Athletic reporter Russini, the coach initially dismissed the images as “laughable.” Russini also downplayed the photos, telling the Post: “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
The Athletic, Russini’s then-employer, defended her when the photos were released. But she resigned on April 14 amid an investigation into her conduct. That same day, The Athletic’s executive editor said “new questions were raised” when the outlet, which is owned by The New York Times, uncovered additional information.
Vrabel first addressed reporters Tuesday, saying that he “had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.”
On Wednesday, the New York Post published more photos of Russini and Vrabel together, this time having breakfast together at the Arizona resort they were first photographed at.
On Thursday, the Post released a photo of Vrabel and Russini appearing to kiss at a New York City bar in 2020. Later, TMZ released photos of the pair at a casino together in 2024, shortly after Vrabel was fired from the Tennessee Titans.
When asked how the images went from laughable to him stepping away, Vrabel said Thursday: “That’s a private and personal matter. I don’t think that those comments — I think that was, you know, always an attempt to protect your family.”
Vrabel, the 2025 NFL coach of the year, led New England to an improbable Super Bowl run in his first year at the helm, taking over the franchise after three straight losing seasons and consecutive 4-13 campaigns.
The former Patriots player had previously been head coach of the Titans. He guided that club to four winning years before he was let go 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 be in jeopardy.
Russini has not commented publicly about the matter since her resignation.
Senior Breaking News Reporter
Rohan Nadkarni is a sports reporter for NBC News.
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