Mike Vrabel speaks after new Dianna Russini photos released: "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to" - CBS News

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters at Gillette Stadium ahead of the NFL Draft on Thursday evening after new photographs of him with reporter Dianna Russini were published earlier in the day. Vrabel said his previous actions "don't meet the standard that I hold myself to," but did not directly address the photographs or the nature of his relationship with Russini

Vrabel and Russini are both married to other people. Russini resigned from her position at the Athletic on April 14.

"I understand that there are questions. I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about, my family, this football team, the organization, and our fans. My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don't," Vrabel said.

"What I believe is best for the two most important things in my life - my family and this football team - is for us to take the necessary steps to work together, and to give them what I told them I'd give them, which is the best version of me and that's what we're going to do," Vrabel added. "That has started, that'll continue this weekend, and it'll continue for however long it takes for me to give them and complete that promise of giving them the best version of me possible."

"My family needs me this weekend"

The Patriots confirmed earlier on Thursday that their head coach would not be with the team for Saturday's portion of the NFL Draft. Vrabel told ESPN's Mike Reiss it was so he could seek counseling.

In his press conference Thursday night, Vrabel thanked Patriots owners Robert Kraft and Jonathan Kraft for their support, along with his coaching staff and players. The Patriots released a statement saying they support Vrabel's decision to seek counseling.

"My priorities are my family and this football team. In that order. There is a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend. And that's where I'll be," Vrabel said, in addressing why he will not be with the Patriots for rounds four through seven of the draft on Saturday.

Vrabel was initially scheduled to address reporters after the first night of the draft. That changed as the team called a news conference just after 7 p.m. with about one hour's notice.

"I ask that somehow you can allow those players that we bring onto this football team, allow them the excitement and joy of starting a journey. I hope that you can do that. I'm focused on this team going forward, and out of respect to my family, I won't have any more comments or answers to touch on," Vrabel said.

The former Patriots linebacker is set to enter his second year as New England's head coach.

Mike Vrabel photos with Dianna Russini

The controversy first came to light on April 7, when the New York Post published photos taken in March of Vrabel with Russini, an NFL Insider for The Athletic, at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona, Arizona.

Vrabel addressed the situation for the first time on Tuesday. He did not mention Russini or the photos during that news conference, but said he has had "difficult conversations" with people he cares about.

On Thursday, the Post released new photos, claiming Vrabel and Russini were seen together at a New York City bar years earlier, on March 11, 2020, when Vrabel was the coach of the Tennessee Titans and Russini worked with ESPN. TMZ posted an additional photo Thursday of Vrabel and Russini at a casino that they said was taken in 2024.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN Thursday night that Vrabel's situation does not fall under the league's personal conduct policy, adding that it is a team matter. An NFL spokesman previously said that the league is not looking into the matter for potential discipline.

- New England Patriots