Mike Vrabel outlines ‘priorities’ amid Dianna Russini saga in surprise pre-draft statement

Mike Vrabel insisted he is prioritising his family as he called a surprise pre-draft press conference on Thursday.

The New England Patriots head coach has been at the center of a storm after photographs of him and Dianna Russini, former NFL insider for The Athletic, were published.

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Images depicted the pair holding hands and embracing at an Arizona resort last month.

Both are married to other people.

Although they each downplayed the photos first revealed by Page Six, Russini resigned from her role with The Athletic on April 14, and Vrabel has since addressed reporters.

Hours ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft, new photos were published of the pair together.

Page Six released photos of Vrabel and Russini at a New York bar in 2020, while TMZ published images of the two at a Mississippi casino in 2024.

In the wake of those images, Vrabel called a press conference to address the situation.

He began: “I want to reiterate the gratitude that I had the other day, that you guys have shown in a personal and private matter.

“I want to address the news regarding my current situation. I understand there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that caused a distraction to the people I care most about.

“My family, this football team, the organization and our fans. My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t.

“I believe what is best for the two most important things in my life — my family and this football team — is for us to take the necessary steps to work together, and to give them what I told them I’d give them — which is the best version of me.

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“That’s what we’re going to do. That has started and will continue this weekend. It will continue for however long it takes.

“I’m grateful for the support (from the ownership) and thankful for the coaches and their support, and the players.

“They’re the ones that allow us to win games and coach them. I’ve got a lot of great men in there and I appreciate each and every one of them.

“My priorities are my family and this football team, in that order. My family needs me this weekend, and that’s where I’ll be.”

Vrabel added that he is ‘focused on the team’ moving forward.

Before his press conference, the Patriots released a statement confirming they ‘supported’ the head coach’s decision to seek counseling this weekend.

“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family and his own well-being,” a message from the team read.

“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.

“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process.

“While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete, and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”

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