The New England Patriots are supporting Mike Vrabel after Page Six published photos of the head coach with NFL reporter Deanna Russini at a hotel in March and of them kissing at a bar in New York City six years ago.
“Following the New England Patriots’ announcement that Mike Vrabel will not be attending Day 3 of this weekend’s 2026 NFL Draft as he seeks counseling regarding his actions, the team fully supports Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family and his health,” the team announced in a statement to Page Six on Thursday.
“Mike has been candid with us about his determination to be the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans. We respect the steps he is taking to live up to that commitment.”
The Patriots organization also said it is “confident in the leadership and communication” Vrabel established with his “personnel staff” throughout the pre-draft process.
“Although he will not be in the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluation is complete and (football executive) Elliott Wolfe and his personnel staff are ready to execute the draft as scheduled this weekend.”
In Wednesday’s announcement, Vrabel further explained that he would be taking a day off from the draft to focus on family and personal matters.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I would give them the best version of myself that I could,” Vrabel told ESPN.
“In order to do so, I have committed to counseling starting this weekend. This is something I have thought about a lot and if I were going to do counseling it would be something I would advise players to do.”
On Thursday, Page Six published a photo of Russini and Vrabel at Tribeca Tavern in the early morning hours of March 11, 2020.
The two sat close together at the bar, conversing, and at one point appeared to share a kiss.
“They were kissing and crazy about each other,” an eyewitness told Page Six. “He was wearing a ring.”
Vrabel was already married to his wife Jen when the photo was taken, while Russini married Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt just six months later. Each has two children with their respective partners.
Earlier this month, Page Six also published a photo of Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, hugging and holding hands at Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, in March.
Vrabel told Page Six about the photos: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable and does not merit further response.”
And Russini said, “The photo does not represent a group of six people hanging out during the day. Like most NFL journalists, the reporter is interacting with sources away from the stadium and other venues.”
Russini resigned from his position as The Athletic’s senior NFL insider on April 14 amid an investigation by the outlet. She denied any wrongdoing.
“This media frenzy is proceeding at breakneck speed, ignoring the vetting process The Athletic is attempting to complete,” she wrote in part in a letter to The Athletic editor-in-chief Stephen Ginsburg obtained by Page Six. “Repeated breaches continue to escalate the situation, and I am unwilling to respond to a public inquiry that has already caused more damage than I am willing to accept.”
“Rather than continue this, I have decided to step aside before my current contract expires on June 30th. I do so not because I accept the narrative built around this episode, but because I refuse to give it further oxygen or let it define me or my career,” she continued.
