News England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wasn’t going to be able to hid from the questions forever. Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini unexpectedly became one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 off-season.
Eventually, Kraft was going to be asked about the situation. This is what he said.
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Apr 23, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with Patriots owner Robert Kraft courtside during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Michael Vrabel and Dianna Russini Affair: Robert Kraft’s Direct Comment
Mike Vrabel has received the support of his owner, Robert Kraft. For the first time, Patriots owner Robert Kraft has publicly addressed Mike Vrabel’s offseason controversy. Kraft says he won’t back away from his head coach. In New York, Kraft was asked about Vrabel’s situation during the Fanatics Fest on Friday.
In addition, Kraft praised Vrabel’s football knowledge and interpersonal skills, expressing confidence that he would remain New England’s coach for many years to come.
“We’re privileged to have Mike as our head coach,” he said, per NBC Sports. “No one is infallible.”
“And what’s great about Mike is he has great intellectual knowledge about football — all the technical skills,” he continued. “He relates to the players beautifully. And he’s someone I have a strong belief and faith in. And I hope he’s going to be our head coach for many years to come.”
Jan 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mike Vrabel (left) poses for a photo with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (right) after a press conference at Gillette Stadium to introduce him as the Patriots new head coach. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Jan 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mike Vrabel (left) poses for a photo with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (right) after a press conference at Gillette Stadium to introduce him as the Patriots new head coach. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Earlier this year, Vrabel sparked controversy after photographs surfaced showing him at an Arizona adults-only resort with former The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini.
They denied that there was any inappropriate relationship between them.
According to Vrabel, any suggestion of misconduct is “laughable”, while Russini said that the images have no context and are part of a larger gathering.
The story continued to grow in the following weeks.
Later, Vrabel apologized to his family, teammates, and the Patriots organization for his actions not meeting the standard “he expects of himself.”
Additionally, he attended counseling during the final day of the NFL Draft. Despite her assertions that she had done nothing unethical, Russini resigned from The Athletic following what she described as a false public narrative.
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