New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the media ahead of the NFL Draft on Thursday night to “take accountability” after photos emerged of him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
Images were published showing Vrabel and Russini, both married, holding hands at an Arizona resort—initially downplayed by the pair. Russini has since resigned from her role at The Athletic. Vrabel said earlier this week he has had “difficult conversations” with his family and the Patriots organisation.
Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first season as head coach, announced late on Wednesday that he will not attend day three of the NFL Draft on Saturday as he steps away for counselling.
New photos were released on Thursday: Page Six published images of them at a New York bar in 2020, and TMZ followed with photos from a Mississippi casino in 2024.
“I want to address the news regarding my current situation. I understand there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that caused a distraction to the people I care most about,” Vrabel said. “My family, this football team, the organisation and our fans. My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t.
“I believe what is best for the two most important things in my life, my family and this football team, is for us to take the necessary steps to work together, and to give them what I told them I’d give them, which is the best version of me. That’s what we’re going to do. That has started and will continue this weekend. It will continue for however long it takes.
“My priorities are my family and this football team, in that order. My family needs me this weekend, and that’s where I’ll be.”
The Patriots issued a statement on Thursday backing Vrabel and expressing confidence in “the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process.”
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritise his family first, as well as his own wellbeing,” the statement read. “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.”
Asked about his decision to miss Saturday’s draft day, Vrabel said it was “necessary” to prioritise his family.
The NFL confirmed it is not investigating the matter, a position reiterated by Commissioner Roger Goodell in an interview with ESPN. “This is not a personal conduct policy as we know of today,” Goodell said. “It’s a personal matter and we’ll leave it at that. I think the teams handle these matters when they are personal matters. They have a lot more information that can benefit people involved.”
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player with the Patriots, was hired as head coach last offseason and guided New England to Super Bowl LX, where they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara in February.
Watch day two of the NFL Draft from midnight on Friday live on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix; the Draft concludes with day three from 5pm on Saturday live on Sky Sports Action.