Now that the NFL Draft is over, it feels like all eyes are back on New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini.
After a tumultuous few weeks for Vrabel, Patriots players like Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane aren’t backing down in their defense of their coach.
Patriots Players Defend HC Mike Vrabel
Last year was excellent for Vrabel, who won the NFL Coach of the Year award after leading the Patriots to a 14-3 season (4-13 the year prior) and a Super Bowl appearance, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks.
However, this offseason hasn’t been kind to him or Russini, stemming from an inappropriate relationship reported during the NFL League Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona.
Photographs came out of them cozied up at a resort pool in Phoenix. The two are also married, and this isn’t a one-time thing, as more pictures from six years ago were posted.
All of this came to light before the NFL Draft, so, as a solution, it was decided that Vrabel would miss Day 3 of the draft to attend counseling and address personal matters with his family, most importantly, his wife. Ironically, it was also revealed that he was back in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Monday, so how much counseling did he really get?
Regardless of the incident, players like Henry and Spillane still have their head coaches’ backing.
Patriots reporter Sophie Weller reported the following from tight end Henry:
“I thought he did a great job,” Henry said. “You know, it’s been the same Vrabes bringing a lot of energy in the room. So, yeah, I mean, obviously he addressed it and, you know, that’s kind of what I’ll say about it.”
Hunter Henry on Mike Vrabel speaking to the team about his controversial situation:
“I thought he did a great job. You know, it’s been the same Vrabes bringing a lot of energy in the room. So, yeah, I mean, obviously he addressed it and, you know, that’s kind of what I’ll say…
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) April 28, 2026
Linebacker Spillane also talked about Vrabel and the past couple of weeks:
“Coach is football, and he keeps the main thing the main thing. I know he’s dealing with personal issues, but when he’s in the building, we’re speaking about football.”
Robert Spillane on how Mike Vrabel has been over the past few weeks:
“Coach is football and he keeps the main thing the main thing. I know he’s dealing with personal issues but when he’s in the building we’re speaking about football.”
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) April 28, 2026
“I love Coach, and I’m going to be there to support him as he’d be there to support me through anything,” Spillane added.
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This whole thing has been a stain not only on the excellent year that Vrabel has had, but on his career as a whole. Every day, it seems another piece is added to the story, whether it’s pictures, an alleged shared Spotify playlist, or something else.
