Mike Vrabel Jen Vrabel
Mike Vrabel Jen Vrabel
Mike Vrabel is giving an update on his marriage counseling sessions with his wife, Jen Vrabel.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the New England Patriots head coach answered ESPN reporter Kalyn Kahler's question, “What did you learn from that counseling and how did you balance that personal commitment with getting ready for this season?”
“I think we always look at improvement,” Vrabel responded. “As we talk about getting ready for the next season, we always look at improvement and ways that we can improve individually and how we can improve as a team. It’s really critical that we continue to do that, on and off the field. I believe in that. I believe in everything we can do to help this football team, to help our coaches, to help myself and everybody else included.”
He continued, “This journey that we’re going to go on is going to be completely different than the one we went on last year. That’s all of our jobs to prepare for it now.”
Vrabel enrolled in marriage counseling with his wife Jen — who he's been married to since 1999 — amid the Dianna Russini scandal where photos of the two at an Arizona luxury resort were made public. Several other photos such as them allegedly kissing in a New York City bar in 2020 and at casino in 2024 after his firing from the Tennessee Titans. Russini is also married to Kevin Goldschmidt, a Shake Shack executive. Neither Russini nor Vrabel have confirmed if they had an affair.
The head coach added, he is “really focused on our improvement individually and as a team, and that’s something that we can do today.”
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“I think we all have areas that we can improve on, and that includes the coaches,” he said.
During the start of the 2026 NFL Draft back in April, Vrabel explained in a statement to ESPN why he decided to attend counseling.
“This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them,” Vrabel noted. “I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
Kahler asked whether Vrabel would be “continuing throughout the season,” but he did not give a direct response on potential future sessions.
“We’re gonna always try and find ways to prepare and focus on our mental fitness,” he said. “That’s gonna continue with me, the coaches, the staff and our players.”