Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel Steps Away From NFL Draft for Personal Reasons

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will not be in the draft room on Saturday, missing the final day of the NFL Draft. He is seeking counseling.
By Newsroom | Sports, NFL |

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will not be present for the team's activities on the third day of the NFL Draft on Saturday. This decision comes as Vrabel has committed to seeking counseling, stating a need to provide his "best version" to the team and his family.

Mike Vrabel to skip Day 3 of NFL Draft, will seek counseling after Dianni Russini photos - 1

Vrabel confirmed his commitment to counseling on Wednesday night, citing a promise to his family, the organization, and the team to offer his optimal self. He indicated that while he will be physically absent from the draft room, he will remain in contact with the Patriots throughout the proceedings. Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden are expected to manage the draft room in his stead. The team holds a number of selections on Day 3, including two fourth-round picks, one fifth-rounder, four sixth-rounders, and a seventh-round choice.

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Mike Vrabel to skip Day 3 of NFL Draft, will seek counseling after Dianni Russini photos - 2

The announcement follows the publication of photos that appeared to show Vrabel and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini embracing and holding hands at a resort in Arizona. These images surfaced on April 7, leading to subsequent discussions. Vrabel has described having "difficult conversations" regarding these photos.

Dianna Russini has since resigned from her position at The Athletic. The Athletic initially expressed support for Russini but later announced an internal investigation into her conduct. Both Vrabel and Russini, who are married to other individuals, have previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the published photographs.

Vrabel's absence from the draft was not scheduled to coincide with any team press conferences, as he was not slated to attend the pre-draft media availability on Monday, April 13. This absence, however, has drawn attention amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the leaked photographs. Reports from mid-April indicated that Vrabel was "very involved" in the Patriots' draft preparations, despite the swirling media attention.

Read More: Patriots Coach Vrabel Misses Draft Day 3 for Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Mike Vrabel not at the NFL Draft on Saturday?
Coach Mike Vrabel will not be present for the third day of the NFL Draft on Saturday. He has decided to step away to focus on personal matters and seek counseling.
Q: Who will manage the draft room for the Patriots?
Eliot Wolf, Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, and Ryan Cowden, Vice President of Player Personnel, are expected to lead the draft room in Coach Vrabel's absence.
Q: What is the reason for Vrabel's absence?
Vrabel stated he needs to provide his 'best version' to the team and his family and is committed to counseling. This follows recent media attention regarding personal photographs.
Q: When will Vrabel return?
The update does not specify when Coach Vrabel will return, only that he will remain in contact with the team during the draft proceedings.
Q: Did Dianna Russini also leave her job?
Yes, Dianna Russini has resigned from her position at The Athletic following the surfacing of photographs that appeared to show her and Mike Vrabel together.