The New England Patriots issued a forceful statement of support for head coach Mike Vrabel on Thursday as fresh images emerged showing him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at various locations over recent years.
Vrabel announced Wednesday that he would skip the third day of the NFL draft this weekend to attend counseling. The decision came after photos published by the New York Post showed Vrabel and Russini embracing and holding hands at an Arizona resort. Both are married to other people and have maintained their relationship is platonic.
Additional photographs surfaced Thursday, with Page Six publishing images of the pair together at a New York bar in 2020, while TMZ released casino photos from Mississippi in 2024.
In his statement, Vrabel explained his reasoning for seeking counseling: "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."
The Patriots responded with backing that left no room for doubt. "The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel's decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own wellbeing," the organization said. "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 emphasized operational continuity during Vrabel's absence on Saturday. "We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend," the Patriots added.
Vrabel addressed the matter directly with his players on Monday. The NFL determined last week it would not open a formal investigation into Vrabel over the original photos, citing its personal conduct policy that requires league members to refrain from conduct deemed detrimental to the NFL's integrity and public confidence.
Russini resigned from her position at the Athletic on April 14, saying she had covered the NFL with professionalism throughout her career. She pushed back against what she called "self-feeding speculation" that emerged following the initial photos, noting that the Athletic had supported her and expressed confidence in her work when the story first broke.
Vrabel's first season with the Patriots culminated in a Super Bowl appearance, where the team fell to the Seattle Seahawks. He was named the Associated Press coach of the year after turning around a franchise that had posted a 4-13 record the previous season.
Author James Rodriguez: "The Patriots are showing real institutional confidence in their coach, but counseling over a supposedly platonic friendship raises questions that the NFL's decision not to investigate may not fully settle."
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