New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has announced he will miss the third and final day of the 2026 NFL Draft to seek counseling, according to a statement he provided to ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Wednesday night. The decision comes amid ongoing public attention following photographs published by the New York Post showing Vrabel with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only resort in Arizona earlier this winter.
Vrabel, who turned 50 in August 2025, stated he made the commitment to prioritize his personal well-being in order to fulfill his responsibilities to his family, the Patriots organization, and the team. He emphasized that seeking support is something he would advise any player under his guidance to do if facing similar challenges.
The 50-year-old coach, a three-time Super Bowl champion as a player with the Patriots, confirmed he will spend the weekend with his wife Jen and their two sons outside of Massachusetts while remaining in contact with the team as they finalize their draft selections. New England holds eight picks in Rounds 4 through 7 of the draft on Saturday.
This development follows Vrabel’s initial response to the published photos in March, when he described them as “laughable” during a statement to Page Six. He later addressed the situation more directly during a press conference on Tuesday, acknowledging he had been navigating a “personal and private matter” and had engaged in hard conversations with his family, team, and others over the preceding weeks.
Russini, 43, resigned from her position at The Athletic shortly after the photos emerged, as the outlet launched an internal investigation into her relationship with the Patriots coach. Vrabel has maintained throughout the situation that his actions do not reflect the standards he sets for himself as a leader within the organization.
As head coach of the Patriots since 2024, Vrabel oversees a franchise with a rich history of success, including six Super Bowl victories. His playing career spanned 14 seasons in the NFL, most notably with New England from 2001 to 2008, where he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2007 and was selected to the Pro Bowl that same year.
The Patriots’ 2026 draft strategy remains unaffected by Vrabel’s absence on Saturday, with the team’s personnel department continuing to execute their planned selections. Vrabel’s decision to step away temporarily highlights growing awareness around mental health support in high-pressure professional sports environments.
Moving forward, the Patriots organization has not announced any changes to Vrabel’s coaching duties beyond this weekend. The next scheduled public appearance for the head coach is expected when the team reconvenes for post-draft activities and begins preparations for mandatory minicamp in June.
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