New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will not attend Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to a report citing team sources.
The decision comes amid ongoing fallout from viral photos published earlier this month showing Vrabel and Dianna Russini, a former reporter for The Athletic, at an Arizona resort. Both individuals, who are married to other people, have denied any impropriety, stating they were with friends who were not visible in the images.
Vrabel addressed the situation publicly on April 21, 2026, speaking to media members after days of silence. He acknowledged having difficult conversations with his family, the organization, coaches, and players, describing them as “positive and productive.” He emphasized the importance of making good decisions both on and off the field, stating, “That includes me. That starts with me.”
The Patriots are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night with Day 1. Vrabel had spent the 2025 season emphasizing accountability and team-first principles, a mindset he said helped drive the team’s deep playoff run that culminated in a Super Bowl LX appearance.
Despite the personal controversy, Vrabel is not under review by the NFL for his actions related to the incident. The league has not announced any investigation into his conduct.
Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, 2026, citing intense media speculation and what she described as “self-feeding” commentary unmoored from facts. In her resignation statement, she said she stepped down to prevent the frenzy from defining her career. The Athletic initially supported her but later announced an investigation into the matter after the photos went viral.
The images, first published by the New York Post’s Page Six on April 7, 2026, appeared to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging, and sitting in a hot tub and swimming pool at a luxury resort in Arizona. Both parties maintained that the photos lacked essential context and were misleading.
Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, issued a statement following the publication of the photos, expressing full support for Russini and calling the images “misleading and lacking essential context.” The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, confirmed days later that the outlet would proceed with an investigation.
As of April 23, 2026, the Patriots have not issued an official statement regarding Vrabel’s absence from Day 3 of the draft. Team officials have declined to comment further on personnel matters related to the situation.
The franchise is expected to proceed with its draft preparations under the guidance of assistant coaches and front office personnel. No interim leadership changes have been announced.
Moving forward, the focus for both Vrabel and the Patriots organization will be on managing the aftermath of the incident while maintaining focus on team performance and upcoming roster decisions.
Readers are encouraged to follow official team channels and verified sports news outlets for updates on the Patriots’ draft participation and any further developments regarding Coach Vrabel’s status.