The New England Patriots are keeping in regular contact with head coach Mike Vrabel while he is away from the team on the third and final day of the 2026 NFL Draft to seek counseling and be with his family.
NFL insider Peter Schrager said during ESPN's April 25 broadcast that Patriots sources told him the team is in "constant communication" with Vrabel “via telephone and text messages.” Vrabel announced he would be away from the team April 25 during a brief news conference on April 23.
ESPN reported that Vrabel and his family would be outside of Massachusetts during Rounds 4-7.
"As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend," Vrabel said, according to ESPN. "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 and former NFL reporter for The Athletic Dianna Russini were photographed together at an exclusive Arizona resort on March 29, with the New York Post publishing intimate photos of the two on April 7. The outlet released April 23 more photos of the two from six years ago.
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As expected, New England executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf led the draft war room. Vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden – a longtime Vrabel lieutenant – also had a key role, Schrager reported.
“The stability of him as a person, some of the leadership, some of the presence,” Wolf said April 23 when asked about what the organization will be missing without Vrabel in the draft war room.
“He does a nice job with the undrafted players for us, obviously he’s a tremendous recruiter, so maybe that’s something that we’ll be missing,” Wolf added. “But again, we’re very confident with the people that we have, with the process. The assistant coaches have done a tremendous job, as have the scouts, preparing for day three. And we’re excited about it.”
The 2025 Coach of the Year told reporters April 23 that his priorities were his family and the Patriots.
“In that order,” he said. “And there is a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend. And that’s where I’ll be."
Celebrities and former players took the stage to announce picks during the 2026 NFL Draft.See the familiar faces who helped deliver selections across draft weekend.Above, Former Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson speaks during Round Two of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 24, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1 / 10See celebrities and former players announce the 2026 NFL Draft picksCelebrities and former players took the stage to announce picks during the 2026 NFL Draft.See the familiar faces who helped deliver selections across draft weekend.Above, Former Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson speaks during Round Two of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 24, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Celebrities and former players took the stage to announce picks during the 2026 NFL Draft.See the familiar faces who helped deliver selections across draft weekend.Above, Former Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson speaks during Round Two of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 24, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel, Patriots in 'constant communication' while he's away during NFL draft