Despite all the drama surrounding New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel this offseason, it doesn't sound like he has lost the locker room.
On April 7, Page Six shared photos of Vrabel hanging out with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. The news outlet later released photos from March 2020 that show them at a bar in New York City.
After releasing a lengthy statement about his off-field drama, Vrabel announced that he'd undergo counseling during Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
“I can only say that whatever my family needs, that’s what I’m going to provide,” Vrabel said. “I’m confident that if I weren’t able to be here, we have people in place. I just know I’m going to take the necessary steps with the people I care about — that’s my family and this team.”
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
There have been some rumblings about Vrabel "losing his edge" over the past three weeks, but his players are determined to give him a lift.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was asked about Vrabel's situation while at New England's facility earlier this week. He made it abundantly clear that he supports his head coach.
"We’re here for coach, we love coach," Maye told reporters. "We know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back."
Bizarre approach from Drake Maye?
NFL fans didn't exactly love those remarks from Maye. They believe he's protecting Vrabel a bit too much considering it's a self-inflicted issue.
"He cheated on his wife with a reporter, he's not suffering a life threatening illness," Jake Asman of ESPN New York said.
"Treating him like a cancer patient bro he just cheated on his wife," one fan replied.
"We're here for the man that played in his family's face for SIX YEARS," another fan commented. "Shut up Drake."
"They keep talking like Vrabel is being attacked or a victim," a social media user pointed out.
Suffice to say, NFL fans have no sympathy for Vrabel.
That being said, we get why Patriots players are siding with Vrabel. They went from the bottom of the AFC East standings to conference champions overnight with him.
