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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel answered questions about his recent decision to step away from the team amid a series of photo leaks that appear to show him engaging in romantic and personal moments with former New York Times/The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini.
Vrabel will miss several days of the NFL Draft, which he announced earlier Thursday. In the hours following that announcement, The New York Post published photos that appeared to show Vrabel and Russini kissing in a bar and were reportedly taken six years ago.
TMZ later on Thursday published photos of Vrabel and Russini at a casino.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks at a news conference after an NFL wild card playoff game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
“My previous actions don’t meet the standard I hold myself to,” Vrabel said of the current situation, later saying, “My priorities are my family and this football team, in that order. And there’s a balance there that I’m going to create.”
At the end of the press conference, Vrabel was asked to explain why he initially made a statement calling photos of him and Russini at an Arizona resort “laughable” after The New York Post published them in early April.
“That’s a private and personal matter. I don’t believe those comments…were an attempt to protect his family,” Vrabel said.
It was the last question Vrabel answered before storming off the podium and leaving the room.
PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL LOOKS FOR ‘RATS’ AFTER LEAKED INJURY REPORT: ‘WE’LL FIND OUT THAT’
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel smiles as he poses with team owner Robert Kraft during an availability in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 13, 2025. (Charles Krupa/AP)
Vrabel will leave the team’s NFL Draft responsibilities in the hands of general manager Eliot Wolf
“I trust the people we have. I trust our preparation,” Vrabel said. in the hands
“When you prioritize your family first and your job, that’s what it takes. And that’s what it took. I got a lot of support from everyone involved. So that’s what I was able to do, and willingly, and I want to do it.
“When my family needs me, I will be there.”
When asked if he would miss any more football activities in the coming weeks, Vrabel said, “I can’t answer that. I can only say whatever my family needs, that’s what I’m going to provide.”
“I have to do whatever is necessary of me with my family. So, once again, I am confident that I will give them everything they need.”
When asked if he felt like he had to prove himself again to the players who were there last year, he said, “I have to make them a priority, that’s what I have to do, I have to make my family and this football team my priority.”
The Patriots released a statement ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night expressing their support for Vrabel.
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being,” the team said. Patriots statement said.
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Dianna Russini, left, and Mike Vrabel, right, are shown in a split composite image showing Russini with an ESPN microphone and Vrabel on the Titans bench wearing a headset. (Image images)
“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 fulfill that commitment.
“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know that draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Russini resigned from his position at The New York Times last week.
