Mike Vrabel stepping away from Patriots indefinitely to seek counseling amid Dianna Russini controversy

OutKick's own Armando Salguero breaks down Mike Vrabel's first public presser on the Dianna Russini controversy. There was NO denial, and is this Vrabel's last time talking about it?

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, embroiled in a controversy involving his relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini, is stepping away from the team indefinitely to seek counseling and be with his family.

The news, first reported by ESPN, means Vrabel will miss part of the NFL Draft that begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday. Vrabel will be away from the team the entire day on Saturday.

Saturday is the day the NFL Draft will conduct rounds 4 through 7. The Patriots currently own eight picks in those rounds, including two in the fourth round.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel celebrates after the AFC championship game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High in Denver, Colo., on Jan. 25, 2026. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Club executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf will be orchestrating the entire draft for the Patriots along with vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden. Even if Vrabel is available by phone for input, it obviously won't be the same for the Patriots as it was in the 2025 draft, the coach's first with the team.

PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL BREAKS SILENCE ON DIANNA RUSSINI SITUATION

"As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them," Vrabel said in a statement released to ESPN.

"In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise