Patriots’ Drake Maye Supports Coach Mike Vrabel Amid Scandal

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Drake Maye is standing by his entire team.

Three weeks after photos emerged online showing New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini – both in existing marriages – a player has now spoken about the controversy.

In an interview with 7News on April 29th, Maye expressed strong support for his coach, saying, “We love Coach. He’s done so much for us this past year, it’s hard to put into words. We’re really glad he’s our head coach.”

He’s going through some personal challenges right now, separate from football and coaching, but we’re all supporting him and expect him to bounce back.

Following the release of photos by Page Six showing Patriots player Vrabel and reporter Jenn Russini – who has two children with Kevin Goldschmidt, an executive at Shake Shack – on vacation in Arizona last month, and kissing in 2020, the 23-year-old player isn’t the only member of the team to speak out about the situation.

Hunter Henry, the tight end, highlighted that the team is focusing on performing well during games rather than getting caught up in other distractions.

I’m really focused on the current team and what we’re building here,” he said to reporters on April 28, according to NBC Sports. “Last season was long, and we didn’t have much time before starting up again, plus we’re now working in a new facility.

Each year offers a fresh start, and we’re working to create a strong team and build a cohesive unit. My focus is entirely on the players we have here, and rebuilding our program from the beginning. It’s going to be a challenging process, but we’re starting today to lay the foundation for future success.

Following the recent controversy, the head coach announced he is taking a temporary leave from his position to focus on personal counseling. He and his wife, Jen Vrabel, have two children together.

Look, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I realized I need to prioritize being my best self – for my family, my team, and everyone involved. I made a promise to them that I would, and I truly believe that’s the right thing to do. Honestly, if I were advising another player in my position, I’d tell them the same thing: focus on being the best you possible.

I’ve always tried to set a good example, and I feel this is what I need to do to be the best husband, father, and coach I can be. It’s hard to say this, but I know it will help me grow as a person. I’m grateful for everyone’s support and I’m committed to becoming even stronger.

Although she left her job at The Athletic, Russini didn’t acknowledge any mistakes in her resignation letter to editor-in-chief Steven Ginsberg on April 14th.

Look, I’ve spent my life covering the NFL, and I’m incredibly proud of every single article I’ve written. It’s just… frustrating to see all these people in the media making up stories and just running with them! They’re building these crazy narratives that have absolutely no basis in reality, and it’s honestly really upsetting. I stand by my reporting, always have, and always will.

The 43-year-old woman, who briefly shared the letter on X (formerly Twitter) before deleting her account, believed the attention on her relationship with 50-year-old Vrabel was taking away from the focus on the publication’s work.

She stated she wouldn’t participate in the public inquiry, as it had already been too damaging. Instead of letting the situation continue, she’s resigning before her contract ends on June 30th. She emphasized this isn’t an admission of wrongdoing, but a decision to avoid further fueling the controversy and prevent it from impacting her future.

For a closer look at the scandal between Vrabel and Russini, keep reading.

On April 7, 2026, photos surfaced showing New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini holding hands and embracing at a resort in Arizona, sparking a reaction from football fans who believed it raised questions about potential preferential treatment.

Both Mike Vrabel, who has been married to Jen Vrabel since 1999, and Kristina Russini, who married Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020, questioned the referee’s decision right away.

She stated to TopMob News that the pictures didn’t accurately show the six people who were socializing earlier in the day. She added that, like many NFL reporters, they often speak with sources outside of official game locations.

Vrabel said there was nothing newsworthy to share about the event. He stated, “The pictures clearly show a harmless interaction, and any other interpretation is ridiculous.” He added that he wouldn’t be commenting on the matter any further.

However, the story didn’t end there. Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor at The Athletic, initially defended his employee, claiming the photos circulating were misleading and didn’t show the full picture. In a statement to TopMob News on April 7th, he explained the interactions depicted were public and happened in front of witnesses.

Okay, so I’m totally following this whole thing, and it’s getting even crazier! I heard that after The New York Times started looking into that play everyone’s talking about, even more problems came up. Someone on the inside at The Athletic told me on April 13th that they’re not just looking at the play itself, but also at everything Diana Russini has reported before. They’re really digging into her past work, it’s wild!

A day later, the veteran journalist left the proverbial locker room, resigning from her role. 

In a letter to Ginsberg on April 14th, obtained by The Associated Press, she stated she fully supports all of her published stories. She also expressed concern that media commentary has been based on inaccurate speculation rather than facts.

Responding to the growing media attention, the mother of two stated she wouldn’t participate in a public investigation that has already caused significant harm. While she’s stepping down before her contract ends on June 30th, she clarified this isn’t because she believes the accusations made against her. Instead, she doesn’t want to give the situation any more attention or allow it to impact her future.

Vrabel, however, would not be hanging up his headset. 

According to an ESPN article from April 17th, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy stated that the league isn’t investigating coach Vrabel’s actions under its personal conduct policy. This policy expects coaches to behave in a way that doesn’t harm the NFL’s reputation or public trust.

A Patriots representative didn’t answer when asked if the team would look into the connection between Vrabel and Russini.

At a press conference on April 21st, the former NFL player admitted he’d had tough talks with people close to him.

He said his conversations with family, coaches, and players have been good and helpful. He emphasized that making smart choices – starting with himself – is key to success both in football and in life.

I’ve been a huge Vrabel supporter for a long time, and hearing him speak really reassured me. He didn’t want to get into the specifics of what was discussed, but he made it clear that he’s completely committed to giving everything he has to this team, the organization, and especially the fans. He promised us the best version of himself moving forward, and honestly, that’s all I needed to hear. I’m really excited to see what he and the team accomplish now.

On the eve of the NFL draft, Vrabel announced he had something more pressing to tackle. 

The coach announced on April 22nd that he would be starting counseling this weekend. He stated he made a commitment to his family, the organization, and the team to be his best, and this was a step toward fulfilling that promise, according to ESPN.

This meant he would skip the three-day draft which began on April 23rd. He explained it was a difficult decision, and one he would recommend to other players if he were advising them. He added that he’s always believed in leading by example, and this was what he needed to do to be the best husband, father, and coach he could be.

 

At first, the Patriots, owned by Robert Kraft, didn’t comment on the issue, but on April 23rd, they publicly backed Vrabel’s strategy.

“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being,” the squad said in a statement to TopMob News, affirming their support for his draft day absence. “Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.”

Photos recently published by Page Six on April 23rd suggest that Mike Vrabel and Erin Andrews’ relationship began earlier than previously reported.

Photos taken at Tribeca Tavern in New York City on March 11, 2020, show the couple close together at the bar. In one shot, Vrabel has his hand on Russini’s arm and leg, and in another, he’s leaning in to kiss her.

TMZ Sports recently photographed Mike Vrabel and Kayla Russini together at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi on January 30, 2024, just weeks after Vrabel was fired as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. The photos suggest they are developing a relationship.

TopMob News has reached out to reps for Russini and Vrabel for comment and has not heard back. 

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2026-04-30 17:18