Vrabel: “What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, our team, our staff, our coaches, and most importantly, our fans, will continue to push me to be the best I can be.”
Mike Vrabel talks about ‘difficult conversations’ he had during Dianna Russini drama
Patriots head coach Mike Vrbael spoke to the media for the first time since photos of him with Dianna Russini were leaked.
sports pulse
- Vrabel said he had “difficult conversations” with his family and team.
- The coach hasn’t addressed the situation since April 8, when he made comments to the New York Post.
- Vrabel chose to address reporters Tuesday so Patriots players wouldn’t have to speak for him.
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel met with reporters for the first time since a photo of him with The Athletic’s former NFL insider Deanna Russini was leaked.
On April 21, a full two weeks after the New York Post published the photo, Vrabel said as part of his opening statement, “I have had difficult conversations with the people I care about: my family, my organization, my coaches, my players.”
“They were positive and productive. We believe that to be successful on and off the field, you have to make the right decisions, and that includes me. It starts with me. We never want our actions to have a negative impact on the team. We never want to be a distraction.”
“What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, our team, staff, coaches and most importantly, our fans, will continue to bring the best of me.”
Vrabel called the episode a “personal and private matter” and thanked local reporters for their patience during the silence.
He also said: “It was important for me to have a conversation with the players. We had a very honest conversation yesterday.”
Vrabel said he decided to speak Tuesday because he didn’t want to be asked questions about himself before addressing Patriots players and the media. He also didn’t want to draw attention away from the NFL Draft, which begins April 23 in Pittsburgh. The Patriots are scheduled to select No. 31 overall on Thursday night.
Asked about recent conversations with Robert Kraft and team ownership, Vrabel declined to elaborate, choosing to keep those discussions confidential.
Will the NFL discipline Mike Vrabel?
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Monday that Vrabel is not under investigation for allegedly violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
As per the policy, regarding non-NFL players, “illegal, violent, dangerous, or irresponsible conduct endangers innocent victims, tarnishes the reputation of others involved in the game, and undermines public respect and support for the NFL. We must strive to be high-quality human beings. We must demonstrate respect for others both inside and outside of the workplace. We must also conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects favorably on ourselves, our teams, the communities we represent, and our teams.” N.F.L. ”
Photos released on April 7 show Vrabel and Russini in swimsuits by the pool and hugging on the rooftop of Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, days before the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married to other people and have children together.
What did Mike Vrabel say about Deanna Russini?
Mr. Russini posted a defiant letter on social media on April 14 and resigned from The Athletic, which is owned by The New York Times. Her actions were subject to an internal investigation prior to her abrupt departure.
Asked directly about Russini on Tuesday, Vrabel responded, “I respect and appreciate all the questions, but I can’t comment on anything related to that. I appreciate your work and what you guys have to do, but I have to comment and answer about the football team.”
The coach also addressed the reaction within the locker room as the reigning AFC champions’ offseason program begins.
“There were conversations and questions,” Vrabel said of the players. “Yeah, I mentioned it and talked to them. Always tell them, we have to speak for ourselves, and what they have to say about it is what they have to say.”
“They’re off to a really good start. It’s been a really good two days. But that’s how we started our offseason program. Those are the conversations I had with them.”
2026 NFL Mock Draft: What the Dexter Lawrence trade means for the Giants, Round 1
Vrabel coached the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023 before leading the Patriots to a Super Bowl 60 berth last season after winning three Lombardi Trophies as a linebacker in the 2000s. Russini covered him in Nashville and New England.
At last week’s pre-NFL Draft press conference, Pats vice president of player personnel Elliott Wolfe said of Vrabel’s role in draft preparation: “He’s been very involved, as always. He’s been a little more involved with us than he was last year.”
Before Tuesday, Mr. Vrabel had not spoken beyond comments made to the Post on April 8.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel said at the time.
“I don’t deserve any further response.”
Vrabel was asked to respond Tuesday.
“Thank you for your question,” he said. “I’m going to focus on the football team. I think I’ve worked on the things that I felt were important.”
All your NFL news on and off the field. sign up For USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday Newsletter.
