Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
While the New England Patriots don’t want to lose Mike Vrabel as their head coach as a result of the Dianna Russini scandal, reports indicate they’re making contingency plans in case they do. One name that’s been floated as his potential replacement is former Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
The New England Patriots have publicly backed Mike Vrabel since the story of his alleged affair with former ESPN and The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini broke and seem intent on maintaining that position.
The New England Patriots could pursue Mike Tomlin if the situation with current head coach Mike Vrabel becomes untenable
According to a report from Daily Mail, however, Patriots owner Robert Kraft could pursue Mike Tomlin as Vrabel’s replacement if the ongoing family drama or poor team performance makes his position untenable. Tomlin won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers and has never had a losing season in Pittsburgh across 18 years before departing this offseason.
From behind the Daily Mail paywall pic.twitter.com/DUHhPnOT4p
— Jim Murray (@bigjimmurray) April 28, 2026
If Tomlin decides to retire from coaching or does not want to take on the Patriots job, however, the report adds that Josh McDaniel — who has already had two unsuccessful attempts at being an NFL head coach with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders — could be in line to be Vrabel’s successor.
“I want to address the news regarding my current situation. I understand that there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that have caused a distraction to the people I care most about: my family, this football team, the organization, and our fans,” Vrabel said in a statement prior to the NFL Draft.
“My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t. And what I believe is best for the two most important things in my life — my family and this football team — is for us to take the necessary steps to work together, and to give them what I told them I’d give them, which is the best version of me. My priorities are my family and this football team. In that order. There is a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend. And that’s where I’ll be.”
While it certainly seems as though Vrabel’s job is safe for the time being, prediction markets seem to suggest that could change in the future, as the implied probability of Vrabel being out as Patriots head coach by December 31, 2026 has risen sharply to 32% — up from around 25% before his press conference admission that his actions didn’t meet his own standards.
Prediction Market site increased the odds of Mike Vrabel losing his job from 25% to 32% in the last couple hours. pic.twitter.com/0AAImgKaBF
— Tony Farmer (@Tonysmarkettips) April 28, 2026
Over the weekend, during the third and final day of the 2026 NFL Draft, Vrabel attended nondescript “counseling” before returning to his post as the Pats head coach on Monday.