Kraft Stands by Patriots Head Coach
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has addressed the recent public scrutiny involving head coach Mike Vrabel and NFL journalist Dianna Russini. Speaking on ESPN’s First Take on Friday, July 17, the 85-year-old owner offered his perspective on the situation.
«We’re privileged to have Mike as our head coach. No one is infallible,» Kraft remarked. He emphasized his ongoing confidence in Vrabel, noting, «What’s great about Mike is he has great intellectual knowledge about football – all the technical skills — [and] he relates to the players beautifully. He’s someone I have a strong belief and faith in. I hope he’s going to be our head coach for many years to come.»
Context of the Public Scrutiny
The conversation around the 50-year-old head coach intensified in early April when media outlets published images showing him and 43-year-old reporter Dianna Russini together at a resort in Arizona. Subsequent reports and archival footage surfaced later, including images from March 2020 that appeared to show the pair at a bar in New York City.
While neither party has officially confirmed allegations of infidelity, the situation led Vrabel to step away from his duties during the 2026 NFL Draft to focus on personal matters and marriage counseling.
Commitment to Personal Growth
At the time of his leave, Vrabel issued a statement regarding his decision to seek professional guidance:
«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. 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 a player to do if I was counseling them.»
Support from the Locker Room
Despite the off-field distractions, Vrabel maintains the support of his roster. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye spoke to Boston’s 7News in April, expressing solidarity with his coach.
«We’re here for coach, we love coach. What he’s done for us this past year, you can’t speak into words,» Maye stated. The 23-year-old quarterback added that the team is supportive of Vrabel’s efforts to handle his personal life, noting that the players are confident in his eventual return to full form.