Mike Vrabel isn’t getting fired. Not right now, at least. But the conversation has clearly shifted from nothing to see here to what does this look like long-term?
The fallout from the Dianna Russini situation hasn’t hit the New England Patriots in the standings yet. But it’s creeping into how people around the league are talking about Mike Vrabel, especially after Russini stepped down from her role at The Athletic following the blowback. And now, insider Albert Breer has floated an option that falls somewhere between firing and sticking with Coach Vrabel.
Albert Breer Urges Patriots To Let Mike Vrabel Step Away
Speaking on the “Between the Tackles” podcast, Breer didn’t suggest a pink slip. He suggested something more measured and, in some ways, more telling.
Breer began by addressing the elephant in the room: “Everything involving this story goes nuclear.” Because it’s the hottest topic of the offseason, maybe the only topic to have conversations around.
He added, “I do think, for the people inside that building, the last couple of weeks, there’s been a little bit of a different version of Vrabel. And he’s got such bravado and swagger and all that different stuff that’s visible to anybody who’s paying attention. When that gets toned down a notch, people are going to feel it.”
“So if I were the Krafts, what I would do is say, ‘Go away and don’t come back until you feel like you’re whole again,'” Breer continued. “Whether that means you’ve reached closure with your wife, whether you’re getting divorced, whether you’ve mended fences, whatever. We want what’s best for you, but we need the full version of Mike Vrabel back. And it’s more important that we get back there than you being at some OTA in May.”
It’s a call for a reset. And it lines up with what’s already happening. Vrabel stepped away during Day 3 of the draft for counseling and has since returned, with reports indicating this won’t be a one-off.
Inside the building, the messaging has stayed consistent. Players have publicly backed their head coach. Franchise quarterback Drake Maye called him “Coach” first and everything else second.
“We’re here for Coach, we love Coach,” Maye said. “What he does for us, what he’s done for us this past year, you can’t speak into words. Thankful he’s our head coach. Know he’s dealing with some off the field and out of the coaching world, but we’re here for him, and I know he’s gonna come back.”
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
Hunter Henry said it’s been “the same Vrabes.” Sure, in a building trying to maintain the bond at the core level, this support goes a long way. But it doesn’t dull down the noise.
Reality is right there in front of everyone: this story hasn’t slowed down, and will not. It refuses to. And with every new detail, every report, every sighting, it’s attracting more audience.
