The AFC Champion New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl to the Seattle Seahawks in February.
Now, as they build their 2026 roster, the Patriots must take a crucial step without embattled head coach Mike Vrabel.
According toESPN, Vrabel will step away from the team during this weekend’s NFL Draft to seek counseling as he deals with the fallout, both private and public, from a scandal involving NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
“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. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said late Wednesday. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.”
The coach added that he regards counseling as essential for him both personally and professionally.
“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be,” he said. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
Earlier this month, the New York Post’s Page Six publishedphotosof Vrabel and Russini, both married to other people, spending time together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona.
The eyebrow-raising photos showed the pair together in the pool and side-by-side in a hot tub. They also hugged and stood facing one another with their fingers interlaced.
After the Page Six story broke, both Vrabel and Russini denied that anything inappropriate occurred.
Last week, however,Russiniresigned from her job at The Athletic, though she did so via a defiant-sounding resignation letter.
Source: VidNews » Feed
