As the NFL Draft (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh) gets set to begin on Thursday, the controversy surrounding New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini continues to dominate the headlines.
While both eventually made public comments surrounding their viral hotel photos in late March, more developments continue to emerge. Russini has since resigned from her position as reporter for The Athletic and Vrabel finally broke his silence in a candid conversation with Patriots players at the start of the team’s offseason program on Monday.
Russini also spoke out on the issue in light of her resignation, but some recent news from Vrabel is the biggest talking point going into the draft. The controversy continues to hover over the Patriots, and Vrabel’s draft decision certainly speaks to that.
Mike Vrabel makes big NFL Draft decision
Vrabel announced that he won’t be with the team on Day 3 of the draft on Saturday.
“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 said Wednesday night, per ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss. “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.
“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. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
Vrabel acknowledged that he would still be in contact during the final day of the draft on Saturday. Of New England’s 11 picks, eight of them are in Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
Vrabel and Russini are both married, but the reports that showed them holding hands and hugging at the luxury Arizona hotel have sparked a lot of debate, even from former MVP Boomer Esiason, who questioned Russini’s journalistic integrity going forward.
Simply put, the whole situation has put a lot of extra attention on the NFL for the wrong reasons, and its decision regarding the controversy could backfire by failing to address the matter.
Regardless, this is not the position the Patriots expected to be in coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Instead of solely focusing on bringing in the right talents through the draft and improving their outlook for next season and beyond, Vrabel’s decision to skip Saturday and seek counseling is generating headlines.
It is just the latest on a long line of developments that keep bringing the controversy back to the forefront as both Vrabel and Russini deal with the aftermath and the Patriots prepare for the draft knowing their HC will not be present for every round.