Mike Vrabel won’t be with the Patriots for part of the NFL draft in a surprising turn of events.
The Patriots head coach told ESPN on Wednesday night that he won’t be with the team on day three — Saturday — of the proceedings and he will be “seeking counseling” in the wake of being photographed with Dianna Russini, the former NFL insider for The Athletic.
Vrabel did not mention the photos specifically but did say he wants to be the “best version” of himself he can be for the team and his family.
The coach told ESPN he will be with his wife, Jen, and their two sons, outside of Massachusetts this weekend. He will still be in contact with the team on Saturday as they make their final selections. New England has eight picks on Saturday (rounds 4-7).
“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 told ESPN. “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.”
Earlier this month, Page Six published the photos of Russini and Vrabel — both of whom are married with children — at an adults-only resort in Arizona in March appearing to embrace and hold hands. Less than a week later, Russini resigned from her position at the New York Times-owned Athletic.
Vrabel, who initially called the photos “laughable” in a statement to Page Six, was asked about them on Tuesday in a press conference with reporters. He mostly side-stepped the question.
“I appreciate the question. I’m going to focus on our football team,” he said. “I think I’ve addressed what I felt like was important. So, we’ll be focusing on our football team and the importance of teaching these guys, bringing a new team together, 13 new players.”
On Wednesday, Page Six published more photos of the two at the resort having breakfast together.
Vrabel told ESPN that he hopes to have a “stronger resolve” after his counseling
“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 added.
