The New England Patriots have shown nothing but support for Mike Vrabel this offseason, but they're still facing pressure to move on from the reigning Coach of the Year.
Page Six has already published several photos of Vrabel spending one-on-one time with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. The latest story, however, is a bit more concerning. TMZ revealed that Vrabel and Russini rented a boat in Tennessee back in June 2021. At that time, Russini was just months away from giving birth to her first son with her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt.
“The timing of that outing might raise a few eyebrows, because Russini was pregnant at the time with her first child. Documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, show both signed the company waiver before heading out on a lake … and our source says there was no visible PDA before they departed,” TMZ reported. “We’re also told Vrabel and Russini appeared cautious about photos being taken, and while she declined to pose at all with the staff … Vrabel agreed to snap one pic, but allegedly asked that no images be publicly posted.”
After TMZ published this story on Wednesday, former WFAN host Brandon Tierney declared that Vrabel can't coach the Patriots this season.
"There's no way Vrabel can coach the Patriots," Tierney wrote on X. "It's officially hit the point of no return."
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Tierney isn't the only person expecting the Patriots to have a new head coach in charge for Week 1.
"I think the Patriots will have a new HC by Week 1," Logan B. Robinson of Nole GameDay said. "That was fun while it lasted for Vrabel in New England."
"Vrabel is going to leave for a year," one fan predicted. "Book it."
"We’ll see if Vrabel is even coaching the team in Week 1," a second fan wrote. "Could be a Josh McDaniels operation."
"I would’ve thought a month ago that there was no way Vrabel would lose (or even leave) his job from all of this. Now I’m leaning towards that he won’t be coaching Week 1," another person said.
Patriots players have shown their support for Vrabel.
Despite all the criticism surrounding Vrabel, the top players on the Patriots have voiced their support for him.
"I mean, he's our head coach. I think he's done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I'm just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready," Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said. "I know he's got the right mindset, and I know he's a great human being. I think he's ... like I said, I love playing for him."
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez had this to say about Vrabel: "That’s who I go out there and play for. He’s proven to what he can do as a coach. That’s my guy, and I ride behind Vrabes any time of the day."
We'll see if the Patriots continue to stand by Vrabel amid all this chaos.
