Bill Simmons and his father are quickly losing faith in the 2026 New England Patriots.
The Patriots entered this season with high expectations – and rightfully so. Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye led last year’s squad to a Super Bowl appearance. While it’s possible they get back to their winning ways soon, they’re currently 1-2 and coming off a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On the latest episode of his podcast for The Ringer, Simmons revealed that his father sent him this text during Week 3: “I think Dianna Russini ruined our season.”
Russini and Vrabel ended up in the biggest story of the 2026 NFL offseason. Page Six shared photos of them spending quality time together at a hotel in Arizona. She resigned from her role with The Athletic once this became the talk of the sports world. Vrabel, meanwhile, had an “emergency 24-hour” marriage meeting with his wife Jen during this year’s NFL Draft.
In addition to ripping Russini this past weekend, Simmons’ father also questioned if Maye should be benched in favor of backup quarterback Tommy DeVito.
“‘Should we try [Tommy] DeVito?’ Dead serious,” Simmons said. “And then sadly near the end, he said, he looked at me and he goes, ‘You know, it was so exciting to have a franchise quarterback, even if it was only for one year.'”
© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Vrabel is already sounding the alarm for the Pats.
Following the Patriots’ 35-6 loss to the Jaguars, Vrabel told reporters his concern for this year’s squad is “very high.”
Vrabel also addressed Maye’s struggles and inability to take care of the football. He already has six interceptions in three games.
“I try to talk to him about taking the ball and putting it where it’s supposed to go. I think he knows what to do,” Vrabel said. “I think we have to do it better. We all want to make plays, we just have to make good ones. And if it’s not there, we have to make a great decision. I think sometimes you can want it too badly, but we can’t force anything.”
The Patriots will face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday in a pivotal Week 4 matchup.
