Patriots coach Vrabel steps away from draft, takes accountability for distraction

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel on Thursday took public accountability for actions he said caused a distraction for his family and organization after the New York Post published photos showing him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort, and announced he will step away from the team facility during the final day of the NFL draft.

The incident threatens to overshadow the Patriots' 2026 NFL draft at a critical moment in the franchise's rebuilding effort. The team holds 11 total picks, including seven on Saturday — the day Vrabel will be absent.

Vrabel spoke for more than seven minutes at a news conference Thursday, one day before the draft's final round, addressing the controversy directly.

"I understand that there are questions. I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that 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," Vrabel said.

The New York Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini taken in Sedona, Ariz., before the NFL's annual meetings in Phoenix, which began March 29. Both Vrabel and Russini are married. Russini subsequently resigned from The Athletic, where she had covered the NFL.

Vrabel said he will begin counseling this weekend. Asked about his decision to step away from the facility Saturday, he said, "When you prioritize your family first, and your job, that's what's required. And that's what was necessary."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an ESPN interview that the league is not opening a formal inquiry. "This is not a personal conduct policy as we know of today. It's a personal matter and we'll leave it at that," Goodell said, adding that teams are better positioned than the league office to handle such situations.

The Patriots said in a statement that draft evaluations are complete and the front office is prepared to execute its plan. Executive VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and VP Ryan Cowden will manage the draft room Saturday, with Vrabel participating via Zoom and Wolf holding final say on picks. Wolf told reporters he was not concerned about the arrangement. "It's going to be different without his presence there. But we feel really good about the people that we have in place to make up for it," Wolf said.

The Patriots hold the 28th overall pick — received after trading their original No. 31 first-round selection to Buffalo — and used it to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. Seven of their remaining picks are scheduled for Saturday.