Mike Vrabel will miss third day of draft for "counseling"
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Patriots coach Mike Vrabel announced he will miss the third day of the 2026 draft to enter counseling, aiming to be the best version of himself for his family, team, and organization.
- Vrabel's decision follows a controversy sparked 16 days ago when photos surfaced of him with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only resort, which both parties denied as inappropriate.
- Vrabel emphasized his commitment to lead by example and improve as a husband, father, and coach, acknowledging the difficulty of admitting the need for counseling.
- The situation remains unclear regarding the exact nature of Vrabel's conduct, but his counseling step suggests a move to address personal issues that may have influenced his behavior.
- The controversy complicates matters for Russini, who has consistently denied any improper relationship despite the public scrutiny stemming from the photographs.
