Christian Gonzalez backs Mike Vrabel over Dianna Russini controversy: 'I ride behind Vrabes any time'

Another New England Patriots subordinate has his caput coach’s back.

Star cornerback Christian Gonzalez was asked astir Mike Vrabel’s arguable narration pinch erstwhile The Athletic newsman Dianna Russini, specifically what Vrabel said he spoke to nan squad about.

Gonzalez didn’t mince immoderate words pinch his response.  

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Christian Gonzalez of nan New England Patriots looks connected earlier Super Bowl LX against nan Seattle Seahawks astatine Levi's Stadium successful Santa Clara, Calif., connected Feb. 8, 2026. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

"We ain’t gon’ speak connected what we talked astir wrong nan building," Gonzalez told reporters. "But I mean, that’s my coach. That’s who I spell retired location and play for. He’s proven what he tin do arsenic a coach. That’s my guy, and I thrust down Vrabes immoderate clip of nan day."

Patriots captains Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane were some asked antecedently astir nan Vrabel business arsenic well.

"Obviously, you know, I cognize you guys want to perceive astir everything that's going on, but to beryllium honorable pinch you, we're conscionable focused," he told reporters connected Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports. "I'm focused connected what we sewage going connected correct now successful this building pinch this team."

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Henry added he’s "just focused connected nan guys successful this locker room and trying to build it from nan crushed up." In different words, he’s not going to beryllium commenting connected his caput coach’s off-the-field controversy.

Spillane echoed Henry’s sentiment.

"Coach coaches football. He keeps nan main thing, nan main thing," he explained, per MassLive. "I cognize he’s dealing pinch individual issues. But erstwhile we’re successful nan building, we speak football."

These Patriots are each connected nan aforesaid page pinch Vrabel contempt nan ungraded that created a shot firestorm disconnected nan field.

Christian Gonzalez of nan New England Patriots runs connected nan section earlier Super Bowl LX against nan Seattle Seahawks astatine Levi's Stadium successful Santa Clara, Calif., connected Feb. 8, 2026. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

The Patriots released a connection earlier nan first information of nan draft, saying they "fully support" Vrabel.

"Mike has been unfastened pinch america astir his committedness to being nan champion type of himself for his family, this squad and our fans, and we respect nan steps he is taking to travel done connected that commitment," the connection said.

"We are assured successful nan activity and connection Mike has established pinch our unit force passim this pre-draft process." 

Vrabel was pinch nan Patriots for nan first 2 nights of nan NFL Draft, but he stepped distant for rounds 4 done 7 to activity counseling.

New England Patriots caput coach Mike Vrabel stands connected nan section earlier nan 2026 AFC Championship Game astatine Empower Field astatine Mile High successful Denver, Colo., connected Jan. 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

"As I said nan different day, I promised my family, this statement and this squad that I was going to springiness them nan champion type of maine that I tin perchance springiness them," Vrabel said successful a statement, according to ESPN.

"In bid to do so, I person committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is thing that I person fixed a batch of thought to and is thing I would counsel a subordinate to do if I was counseling them."

Vrabel besides told reporters he’s had "some difficult conversations pinch group that I attraction about" regarding him and Russini being photographed together astatine a Sedona, Arizona, private edifice successful his first nationalist comments astir nan arguable relationship. 

Since then, photos person surfaced from 2020 showing Vrabel and Russini kissing astatine a barroom successful New York City. The pictures exclusively obtained by the New York Post were taken successful nan early hours of March 11, 2020.

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel talks to backmost Drake Maye during nan 2nd 4th astatine Nissan Stadium successful Nashville, Tennessee, connected Oct. 19, 2025. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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Russini reportedly joined Kevin Goldschmidt, her hubby and a Shake Shack executive, six months aft nan photos were snapped. Goldschmidt and Russini besides stock 2 children. 

Vrabel has been joined to his wife, Jen, since 1999, and they stock 2 sons together. In nan pictures, Vrabel’s wedding set is visible connected his near manus while conversing pinch Russini. At nan time, Russini was pinch ESPN, while Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans.