Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has become the most prominent Pats player to publicly address the ongoing scandal between his head coach Mike Vrabeland former ESPN/The Athletic reporterDianna Russini. Similar to the team’s fans, Maye says they have Vrabel’s back.
On Wednesday, April 29, On Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — while at an event at the Encore Casino in Everett, Massachusetts, to support the upcoming Best Buddies Challenge bike ride — Drake Maye addressed the ongoing scandal between Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, who were photographed together at a private Arizona resort last month. Additional photos of the pair in recent years were subsequently released, too.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye addressed the ongoing Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal, says the team has his back
Taking a similar stance as the Patriots fans who gave Vrabel a standing ovation at a season ticket holder’s event earlier in the week, the Pro Bowl signal-caller indicated that they have Vrabel’s back.
“We’re here for coach, we love coach and what he does for us, and has done for us this past year,” Maye told 7 News Boston WHDH. “You can’t speak it into words, and thankfully, he’s our head coach. We know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.”
.@JHall7news asked Drake Maye about the recent scandal involving Mike Vrabel: “We’re here for coach, we love coach.” pic.twitter.com/ctkPoFftRX
— Marlee Wierda (@marleewierda) April 30, 2026
In his first season with Vrabel as his head coach and his second in the NFL, Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl as AFC Champions.
On Tuesday, Patriots players such as tight end Hunter Henry and linebacker Robert Spillane also came to Vrabel’s defense. Spillane said he would “support [Vrabel] as he would be there to support me,” while Henry said he “did a great job.”