Patriots captains deflect questions about Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini controversy: 'We're just focused'

While attraction should beryllium connected nan New England Patriots heading into nan 2026 play looking for redemption aft a Super Bowl loss, nan hot-button taxable of caput coach Mike Vrabel’s narration pinch ex-The Athletic newsman Dianna Russini was prevalent connected Tuesday.

Tight extremity Hunter Henry is evidently alert of nan business astatine manus pinch Vrabel, who spent Day 3 of nan 2026 NFL Draft distant from nan squad to activity counseling amid nan Russini controversy.

But Henry, and nan remainder of nan Patriots, are trying to attraction connected shot arsenic overmuch arsenic possible.

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Hunter Henry of nan New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown during an NFL crippled against nan Baltimore Ravens astatine M&T Bank Stadium successful Baltimore, Md., connected Dec. 21, 2025. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

"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, per Yahoo Sports. "I'm focused connected what we sewage going connected correct now successful this building pinch this team.

Henry, a squad captain, added that 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.

Fellow skipper Robert Spillane was besides asked astir Vrabel’s situation, but he echoed Henry’s sentiment.

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

While Spillane wasn’t going to remark connected others’ narration pinch Vrabel, he did statement that he would "be present to support him" arsenic he believes his coach would do nan same.

Vrabel said publically astir nan Russini controversy, and he noted during his connection that he said pinch players.

"I thought he did a awesome job," Henry said astir Vrabel’s handling of nan business erstwhile it came out. "It’s been nan aforesaid Vrabes bringing a batch of power successful nan room, so, I mean, obviously, he addressed it. That’s benignant of what I’ll opportunity astir it."

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)

The Patriots released a connection earlier nan first information of nan draught this past Thursday, 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 read.

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

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

"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, per 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. 

Dianna Russini, left, and Mike Vrabel, right, are shown successful a divided composite image featuring Russini pinch an ESPN microphone and Vrabel connected nan Titans sideline wearing a headset. (Imagn Images)

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. 

"They were kissing, and they were each complete each other," an eyewitness told nan outlet. "He had a ringing on."

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.

 This past month, Vrabel and nan erstwhile The Athletic newsman were seen holding hands and hugging astatine nan luxury edifice successful Arizona. Photos of their friendly relationship were first released successful April.

New England Patriots caput coach Mike Vrabel speaks during nan 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting astatine nan Arizona Biltmore successful Phoenix, Ariz., connected March 31, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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 The photos showed nan 2 sunbathing by a pool, successful a basking tub and connected nan tile of a bungalow holding hands and embracing, which caused a league-wide uproar. Russini, nan taxable of an investigation by her employer, The Athletic, resigned arsenic a result. 

Vrabel has since returned to nan Patriots arsenic they proceed their offseason workout program. The team’s rookie minicamp is besides slated for May 8-10.

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