What Mike Vrabel said about NFL draft leave of absence amid Dianna Russini rumors

Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel addressed local media in New England prior to the start of the NFL draft on April 23 to discuss his leave of absence from the New England Patriots in the shadow of rumors and images flying featuring Vrabel and NFL insider Dianna Russini in compromising positions. Vrabel will not be in the Patriots' draft room on Saturday, April 25 for Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft as he seeks counseling, he and the Patriots announced late on the evening of April 22. Earlier on the afternoon of April 23, the Patriots put out a statement supporting Vrabel in his efforts to emphasize his family and personal life.

More images of Vrabel and a woman have been released by TMZ and the New York Post on April 22 and 23. "I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people I care most about," Vrabel said. "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to.

What I believe is best for the two most important things in my life, my family and the football team, is to work through this together. That's going to start, that has started, that'll continue this weekend and that'll continue for however long that takes for me to complete that promise of me giving them the best version of me possible. " Vrabel went on to say that his priorities are his family and the Patriots, in that order, and there's a balance he's going to create.

He's confident in the people in the Patriots' organization to handle the draft while he's away. When Vrabel was asked whether he'll miss any further Patriots activities beyond the draft, he said he can't ensure anything. "I'm not sure what's going to be needed of me," Vrabel said.