FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Head coach Mike Vrabel was absent from the New England Patriots’ pre-draft media session on Monday, but team officials indicate he continues his normal duties in preparation for the upcoming NFL draft amid recent media attention surrounding photographs with a sports journalist.
When questioned about Vrabel’s participation in draft preparations, Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf described his involvement as standard operating procedure.
“Very involved. Business as usual,” Wolf stated regarding Vrabel’s role in the team’s draft activities. “I’d say he’s been in there with us this round probably a little more than he was in there last year. … He’s been in there. He’s been contributing. He’s watched a ton of the players.”
This marked the initial public comments from a Patriots front office representative since the New York Post released images showing Vrabel alongside NFL journalist Dianna Russini of The Athletic at an Arizona hotel, sparking questions about their professional relationship.
While Vrabel participated in media sessions before last season’s draft, he chose not to attend Monday’s formal press conference. However, reporters encountered him briefly during a facility tour following Wolf’s media availability, where he offered a quick greeting.
The Post reported the photographs were captured in Arizona approximately two weeks prior to the NFL owners meetings that commenced March 29 in Phoenix.
Both Vrabel and Russini, who are married to other people, issued responses to the Post minimizing the significance of the images.
Russini explained the photos “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.”
Vrabel responded to the publication stating: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
The New York Times, parent company of The Athletic, announced Saturday it would examine Russini’s professional conduct.
This investigation followed earlier comments from Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg, who had defended Russini’s journalism and told the Post the images “lacked essential context.”
Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion during his playing career with New England, enters his sophomore campaign as Patriots head coach. He guided the franchise to a 14-3 record in his debut season, which concluded with a Super Bowl defeat against Seattle.
New England possesses the 31st selection in the upcoming draft along with 11 total picks.
