The New England Patriots can try to pretend that head coach Mike Vrabel’s hotel photos with The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini aren’t a distraction, but they are.
Vrabel didn’t speak with the media on Monday as the Patriots prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft (scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh). The coach, of course, made headlines when the New York Post published photos this past Tuesday of him and Russini holding hands and hugging during a vacation at the Ambiente in Sedona, Ariz., in late March. Both are married.
Patriots vice president of personnel Eliot Wolf spoke with reporters on Monday. The executive was asked one question about Vrabel, which concerned his involvement in the predraft process.
Eliot Wolf discusses Mike Vrabel’s involvement in draft plans
“Very involved,” Wolf said (h/t Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team). “Business as usual. He’s been in there with us this round of meetings, probably a little more than last year.”