What Patriots captains said about Mike Vrabel amid ongoing Dianna Russini controversy

"I love coach and I’m going to be here to support him as he would be there to support me for anything.”

Mike Vrabel was reportedly back at the Patriots' team facility on Monday. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

April 28, 2026 | 5:27 PM

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Most of the New England Patriots roster has been at the team’s New Balance Training Center next to Gillette Stadium over the past week as part of voluntary offseason workouts.

And, while team captains like Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane largely stressed the need to look ahead to the 2026 season during Tuesday’s media availability, both veterans also fielded questions about their head coach.

Mike Vrabel continues to find himself embroiled in controversy after theNew York Post’s Page Six gossip column first published photos of the head coach holding hands and embracing former The Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort earlier this year.

Page Six published more photos of Vrabel and Russini in the following weeks, including one of Vrabel appearing to kiss Russini at a New York bar in March 2020.

Amid that fallout, Vrabel said last week that he would not be with the Patriots for Rounds 4-7 of the NFL Draft on Saturday in order to spend time with his family, while also seeking counseling.

Vrabel was reportedly back at the team facility on Monday.

“Coach coaches football. He keeps the main thing the main thing,” Spillane said. “I know he’s dealing with personal issues. But when we’re in the building, we speak football.”

Spillane, an established linebacker on New England’s defense, was asked if this recent controversy would impact Vrabel’s ability to lead the Patriots — especially given his repeated preachings to his players about not being a distraction and representing the franchise in the proper light.

“I think everyone’s personal relationship with coach is their personal relationship with coach,” Spillane said. “That’s not for me to speak on. I love coach and I’m going to be here to support him as he would be there to support me for anything.”

Taking a page from his former head coach in Bill Belichick, Henry largely deflected any talk regarding Vrabel and the inner workings of New England’s locker room.

“I know you guys want to hear about everything that’s going on. To be honest with you, I’m just focused on what we got going on right now in this building with this team,” Henry said. “Obviously, we had a long season last year. A quick turnaround into the offseason, and we’re in a new building.

“And every year’s a new year. We’re trying to build this team, we’re trying to come together. So I’m just focused on the guys in this locker room and trying to build it up again. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. We’ve got to start somewhere. So we’re starting right now.”