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Patriots Coach Vrabel Skips Draft Day for Counseling

4/25/2026

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Summary

Vrabel Misses Draft

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will miss the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft for counseling.
Vrabel said his actions fell short of standards and that he is taking accountability, putting family first.
The Patriots backed his decision, with Commissioner Roger Goodell adding that matter is not a conduct-policy violation.
Photos show Vrabel with Dianna Russini at a resort and a bar on March 11, 2020; she resigned from The Athletic on April 14.

Summary

**Russini Resigns**

Dianna Russini resigned on April 14 during a New York Times investigation of her relationship with Mike Vrabel.
Executive editor Steve Ginsberg said the released photos lack context and are misleading, defending her work.
Russini posted on X that she stands behind every story she published and thanked the outlet.
The New York Times outlet removed her from NFL coverage, prompting her to step aside before her June 30 contract end to ease the frenzy.

History

Historical Context

After the August 2014 release of Ray Rice’s assault video, the NFL instituted a domestic-violence policy that mandates a six-game minimum suspension for a first offense and covers players, coaches and owners. Building on Goodell’s 2007 conduct reforms, the league’s expanding accountability framework led Patriots coach Mike Vrabel to step aside amid a New York Times investigation in 2024.

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Vrabel Misses Draft

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will miss the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft for counseling.
Vrabel said his actions fell short of standards and that he is taking accountability, putting family first.
The Patriots backed his decision, with Commissioner Roger Goodell adding that matter is not a conduct-policy violation.
Photos show Vrabel with Dianna Russini at a resort and a bar on March 11, 2020; she resigned from The Athletic on April 14.

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