Vrabel steps away

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he will seek counseling and will miss the final day of the National Football League draft on Saturday. (espn.com) Vrabel told ESPN on Wednesday night that he plans to be with his family outside Massachusetts this weekend, but will remain in contact with the team during Day 3. The Patriots have eight of their 11 draft picks scheduled for Saturday. (espn.com) In his statement, Vrabel said he had promised his family, the organization and the team “the best version” of himself and that counseling would begin this weekend. He said he was trying to be “the best husband, father and coach” he could be. (espn.com; bostonglobe.com) The move follows photos published by the New York Post that appeared to show Vrabel embracing and holding hands with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel called the matter “personal and private” when he addressed reporters on Tuesday. (espn.com; apnews.com) On Tuesday, Vrabel said he had “difficult conversations” with his family, the Patriots, coaches and players, and described those talks as “positive and productive.” He added that making good decisions “starts with me.” (espn.com) The National Football League does not plan to open an investigation under its personal conduct policy, according to USA Today. The newspaper reported that the league reviewed the matter and did not see grounds for a formal inquiry. (usatoday.com) Vrabel is in his second season as Patriots coach after the team hired him on January 12, 2025, as the franchise’s 16th head coach. He returned to New England after playing linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 through 2008. (nfl.com; patriots.com) He said Eliot Wolf, the executive vice president of player personnel, and Ryan Cowden, the vice president of player personnel, will lead the draft room on Saturday. The Patriots entered this draft with the No. 31 pick in the first round and 11 total selections. (espn.com) For now, the Patriots are keeping their draft process intact while their head coach steps away for the weekend and says he is trying to repair things at home. (espn.com)