Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addresses criminal allegations against two players ahead of playoffs

New England Patriots caput coach Mike Vrabel answered questions astir caller criminal allegations against prima players Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore successful a property convention connected Wednesday. 

Diggs was accused of attacking a backstage cook during a conflict astir money, while Barmore has been accused of home battle and artillery charges aft his woman told constabulary he threw her to nan crushed successful August. 

Vrabel said nan caller developments aren't "disappointing." 

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(Left) New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) earlier nan crippled against nan Pittsburgh Steelers astatine Gillette Stadium successful Foxborough, Massachusetts, connected Sep. 21, 2025. (Right) New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) leaves nan section pursuing an NFL shot crippled against nan Cincinnati Bengals successful Cincinnati, Ohio, connected Nov. 23, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images;Peter Joneleit/AP Photo, File)

"I would opportunity not disappointing astatine all. These are allegations," Vrabel said erstwhile asked really disappointing nan "distractions" were up of nan playoffs. "It's things that we person to handle, and each time there's distractions, immoderate are smaller than others. I'm assured that we'll attraction connected nan Dolphins and those 2 individuals that you mentioned will beryllium capable to grip nan ongoing ineligible process." 

Vrabel besides said he doesn't expect nan developments to beryllium distracting.

"Afraid? No, not afraid," he said.

Vrabel declined to explain if location would beryllium immoderate squad subject assigned to nan players, and suggested nan squad had been alert of nan alleged incidents anterior to them being revealed to nan public. 

"Again, there's ongoing ineligible matters. And these, again, are allegations. We've made a statement, we've taken nan allegations very seriously, and what comes of that, I deliberation past we'll person different discussion. But I don't deliberation we person to jump to immoderate benignant of conclusions correct now and fto nan process return its toll," he said. "We ever want to stitchery much information, but these are – we've been alert of these allegations. Yesterday and coming aren't nan first that we've heard astir them. Trying to do everything successful accordance pinch nan convention argumentation and making judge that we're successful compliance pinch nan league." 

When asked erstwhile nan squad was made alert of Diggs' allegations, Vrabel said, "When they were capable to make america alert from nan tribunal filings and immoderate things for illustration that." 

In a statement, nan squad acknowledged nan business and said nan 32-year-old receiver denied nan claims against him. "The New England Patriots are alert of nan accusations that person been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed nan statement that he categorically denies nan allegations. We support Stefon. We will proceed to stitchery accusation and will cooperate afloat pinch nan due authorities and nan NFL arsenic necessary. Out of respect for each parties involved, and fixed that this is an ongoing ineligible matter, we will person nary further remark astatine this time."

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Vrabel was asked what nan statement successful nan connection astir nan squad "supporting" Diggs meant, and said, "That everybody that we attraction astir and that we person been adjacent to for a while, we support. And we do. We understand that there's allegations, but we besides want to support each and each player, each and each coach and each and each unit member." 

Diggs allegedly strangled his female cook complete money earlier this month. The female told constabulary Diggs "smacked her crossed nan face," that she tried to push him distant and past he "tried to choke her utilizing nan crook of his elbow astir her neck."

Meanwhile, Barmore allegedly grabbed nan victim's telephone while she was trying to time off his residence. The alleged unfortunate past "intended to unfastened nan doorway and shriek for help, but Christian grabbed her earlier she could and threw her to nan floor." Barmore past allegedly grabbed nan unfortunate by nan garment adjacent her neck. Barmore besides allegedly told nan unfortunate he would person his relative "f--- [her] up." 

The NFL has said some Diggs and Barmore are eligible to play Sunday against nan Miami Dolphins.

"There is nary alteration to nan position of Diggs aliases Barmore. Both are eligible to play astatine this time," nan convention said successful a statement. "Pursuant to nan Personal Conduct Policy (attached), information for placement connected nan Commissioner Exempt List whitethorn beryllium considered pursuing general charges successful nan shape of an indictment by a expansive jury, nan filing of charges by a prosecutor, aliases an arraignment successful a criminal court."

David Meier, 1 of nan attorneys of grounds for Diggs, confirmed that nan seasoned NFL wide receiver categorically denies nan claims brought against him and added nan conflict was betwixt an employer and an employee.

"Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were ne'er investigated — because they did not occur. The timing and information for making nan allegations is crystal clear: they are nan nonstop consequence of an employee-employer financial conflict that was not resolved to nan employee’s satisfaction. Stefon looks guardant to establishing nan truth successful a tribunal of law."

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New England Patriots caput coach Mike Vrabel speaks nan to media during a property convention astatine Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

Barmore's lawyer released nan pursuing statement:

"We are assured that nan grounds will show that nary criminal behaviour took place. Based connected nan facts and nan law, we expect that this individual matter will beryllium resolved successful nan adjacent early and some parties will move guardant together."

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