Mike Vrabel was not in the building during the third day of the NFL Draft and the New England Patriots did not text him or call him with updates. The anguished 50-year-old was allowed to focus only on his family and on his counseling.
That was not the original plan!
The front office of the reigning NFL runner-up decided to reverse course on its initial communication strategy on Saturday. It supposedly decided it would be better to leave the head coach alone.
Why did Mike Vrabel skip Day 3 of the NFL Draft?
Vrabel is at the center of the NFL’s most scandalous scandal. He and Dianna Russini, who are both married to other people, were photographed together at an adults-only resort in Arizona approximately three weeks prior to the Draft. They initially denied any wrongdoing and played it off like no big deal.
However, the entire situation continues to look even worse as more information (and old video clips of Russini) come to light. Vrabel spoke to his team last week but would not detail his conversation.
“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about about — with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive. In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me.”
And then he announced his decision to seek counseling. Mike Vrabel wants to lead by example.
“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. I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father, and coach I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
Here’s the thing. The head coach only decided to seek counseling after the first three rounds of the NFL Draft were already complete. He was with the New England Patriots on Thursday and Friday. He was not with the team on Saturday.
The timing of the decision seemed performative. Shae Cornette was one of the many people who scoffed at the optics. It makes it look like his priorities, in order, are as follow:
- Day 1 of the NFL Draft
- Day 2 of the NFL Draft
- Family
- Day 3 of the NFL Draft
Vrabel didn’t want to miss the first three rounds. At that point, he couldn’t wait until Sunday or Monday?
The New England Patriots did not text their head coach at counseling.
NFL insider Peter Schrager, one of the most trusted voices in the business, reported during the fifth round of the Draft that the Patriots were in “constant contact” with Mike Vrabel throughout the day on Saturday. The initial plan was to keep him in the loop on the front office’s decisions.
Peter Schrager reports that the Patriots are in "constant contact" with Mike Vrabel throughout the day.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 25, 2026
Presumably that doesn't include when he's in his counseling sessions… pic.twitter.com/a8MlhiMf9C
That did not end up being what happened. Schrager later clarified his report.
New England was planning to text/call its head coach throughout the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds of the NFL Draft. It ultimately decided to leave him alone as the day unfolded. He was able to focus only on himself, his family and their counseling. There were not any interruptions.
Mike Vrabel’s family time was suddenly the most important thing to him and the organization. That has not been the case since this scandal first broke. It was largely kept under wraps and brushed to the side. It only became a thing as more information was made public and more photos were leaked.
But you can’t say Vrabel doesn’t care. He graciously stepped away from Day 3 of the NFL Draft — not Days 1 or 2 — and did not text or call his team during counseling.