The heartbreak in the Super Bowl aside, the Patriots enjoyed a dream season under Mike Vrabel last year. So, it was expected that he would be the most talked-about coach heading into the new season. Vrabel still is — although not for the reasons anyone expected.
When New England opens the season in Seattle this September, the Patriots head coach will step into the spotlight carrying the baggage of one of the NFL’s ugliest off-field controversies in recent memory. Now, many are wondering whether NBC will press him about the scandal involving Dianna Russini, and one prominent NFL insider has already weighed in.
NBC Faces Awkward Mike Vrabel Decision Ahead of Patriots’ Season Opener
Sports Illustrated senior writer Albert Breer appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” and put the whole dilemma into sharp focus.
He thinks a lot depends on whether Vrabel does a sit-down interview before the season opener.
“If he has actually sat down and addressed it in full, it’ll be easier for you, if you’re NBC, to just say ‘We’ve all moved on from that, he addressed it,'” Breer said
If that doesn’t happen, Breer sees a problem.
“If it’s still sitting out there as something that hasn’t been fully vetted or gone through in that sort of setting and you’re the first one to get a one-on-one since that happened,” he said, “Then I think it becomes the elephant in the room if you don’t address it.”
Breer also acknowledged the awkward position NBC analysts are in. They got a football game to preview, but there’s also this enormous, unaddressed story hanging over everything.
They must decide whether to let it slide or bring it up in a way that doesn’t steal the spotlight from the game. Breer, who is also an NBC Sports Boston regular, suggested a way to thread the needle. Keep it in a football frame.
“Like, how does it affect the way that you did your job in April and May, and June,” Breer offered as an example approach for the questions NBC can ask Vrabel. “How did it affect your relationship with your players? You preached about family and welcomed so many people, spouses, and children into the building. Did this in any way affect your ability to do that?”
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NBC holds an 11-year NFL media rights deal reportedly worth around $2 billion annually. They air “Sunday Night Football,” and they will broadcast the season opener. Vrabel’s Patriots are the guest of honor on opening night.
NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has notably not touched the Vrabel-Russini story at all in the four-plus weeks since it broke. NFL fans on social media have pointed that out, with more than a few raising an eyebrow at the network’s conspicuous silence.
The NFL itself has taken a hands-off approach. When the schedule was announced, league Executive Vice President Hans Schroeder insisted the scandal played no role in New England being put in the opener. He pointed to the Super Bowl rematch narrative and Seattle’s championship celebration as the real drivers.
The Russini-Vrabel situation has refused to die down. More photos have emerged over the past month. The Chargers subtly trolled the whole situation in their schedule release video.
None of that is going away by September 9, but Breer’s point is well-taken. If Vrabel does a proper sit-down before opening night and addresses everything head-on, NBC gets a pass.
If he doesn’t? Then whoever is holding that microphone in September will have a very uncomfortable choice to make on live television.
