The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here, and the New England Patriots are expected to be on the clock at pick No. 31. There is a lot of speculation about what they might do with their first-round selection, potentially even trading out of the round entirely, but that wouldn't be the biggest news of the day.
Late Wednesday night, head coach Mike Vrabel released a statement about seeking counseling amid ongoing allegations about his relationship with NFL insider Dianna Russini. He announced he will miss the third day of the draft, rounds 4-7, as he seeks outside counsel amid the scandal.
More photos of the pair, dating back six years, further the discussion around the head coach and the organization.
Because of that and the rumors about how Robert Kraft could handle the situation, the Patriots have now released a statement on the matter, expressing their full support of Vrabel and his decision to miss Saturday's draft.
Statement from Patriots:
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 23, 2026
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being. Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and…
Although there are concerns about Vrabel's absence, the Patriots have made their stance clear and are supporting his decision to put family first.
Those are certainly valid, but it's clear the team feels comfortable without him in the draft room, and hopefully they're right about that.
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