Mike Vrabel admits he failed to ‘meet the standard that I hold myself to’ in press conference statement

“I understand that there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions.”

Mike Vrabel speaking to reporters on April 21. AP Photo/Mark Stockwell

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters prior to the start of the NFL Draft on Thursday, acknowledging that he had failed to meet the standard he sets for himself.

The press conference was announced late on Thursday shortly before the start of the NFL Draft. It comes after a new wave of photos was released by the New York Post via its gossip column Page Six earlier in the day, showing Vrabel (who is married) and former reporter for The Athletic, Dianna Russini, appearing to kiss.

“I want to address the news regarding my current situation,” Vrabel said. “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.

“My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t,” said Vrabel. “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. That’s what we’re going to do.

Vrabel alluded to the earlier report that he would be stepping away from the team over the weekend to attend counseling. He also noted his appreciation for the support he’s received from within the organization, from ownership, the coaches, and the players.

“My priorities are my family, and this football team, and in that order,” Vrabel explained. “There’s a balance there that I am going to create, and my family needs me this weekend, and that’s where I’ll be. But I’m confident in the people that we have. I’m confident in the preparation [for the draft].”

Vrabel answered several questions following his statement, including one about his first statement about the scandal.

Initially, Page Six published photos of Vrabel and Russini, both of whom are married, together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona. Vrabel responded to the Page Six story with a definitive denial of any wrongdoing.

“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” he said. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

Having now acknowledged that he had failed to meet his own standard, Vrabel was asked about his first response.

“I think that that was an attempt to protect [the] family, and I would never be dismissive.”

Russini stepped down from her role at The Athletic on April 14 in the wake of the story.

Vrabel has been in New England as the team’s head coach for one season. He was hired by the Patriots in January of 2025, going 14-3 and guiding the team back to the Super Bowl. Prior to that, he went 54-45 in six seasons coaching the Titans.

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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