NFL Draft Hijacked by Mike Vrabel Scandal as Coach Steps Away for Counseling
The NFL Draft kicked off last night, but for the New England Patriots, the story isn't about which tailback they're picking up. It's about what the team's head coach is doing and who he's doing it with.
As the scandal involving head coach Mike Vrabel and The Athletic's former senior reporter Dianna Russini escalates, the team announced yesterday, April 23, that Vrabel will be missing a portion of the draft to undergo counseling.
Per NBC News, Vrabel will not be with the team Saturday night, the third day of the draft.
"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 a statement Wednesday. "In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend."
In a press conference before the start of the draft yesterday, Vrabel said he could miss more team-related events and activities in the future.
"I can only say that whatever my family needs, that's what I'm going to provide," he said. "But I also understand what's needed for me here."
In a statement obtained Thursday by Page Six, the organization said it is standing with Vrabel and supports his decision to prioritize his family including his wife, Jennifer Vrabel, and their two sons.
"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 that Vrabel's absence will not get in the way of their draft plans, with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf taking the lead.
"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.
The whole scandal began in early April when Vrabel and Russini were seen hugging and holding hands in images exclusively obtained and published by Page Six. Initially calling the images "laughable," Vrabel has since taken the scandal more seriously.
Russini, on the other hand, has stepped down from her position at The New York Times' outlet, resigning April 14. Since then, she has deleted her X social media account, per People.
The same day she resigned, The Athletic's executive editor said "new questions were raised" when the outlet uncovered additional information, NBC News reports.
Named NFL Coach of the Year for 2025, Vrabel was the former head coach of the Tennessee Titans and a former linebacker for the Patriots. In his first year at the helm of the New England outfit, he led his team to Super Bowl LX, ultimately losing to the Seattle Seahawks.
This story is unfolding.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 12:37 PM.