Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has doubled down on his defense of Mike Vrabel amid the New England coach’s scandalous affair with Dianna Russini.
On Wednesday, Maye called Vrabel ‘a great human being’ and insisted he doesn’t think his off-field problems will be a distraction this upcoming season.
‘No, I don’t,’ Maye said on Wednesday following the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte in which he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland at Quail Hollow.
‘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.’
Rumors of an affair between Vrabel and Russini began in March when the New York Post published photos of the NFL insider and Patriots coach hugging and hanging poolside at an adults-only Arizona resort.
Although both initially denied cheating on their respective spouses, Vrabel has since apologized for his ‘actions,’ while stopping short of specifically admitting to an affair. The married father of two adult sons briefly stepped away from the Patriots during April’s draft to go through counseling with family.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has doubled down on his defense of Mike Vrabel
Maye played in the Truist Championship Pro-Am with Gary Woodland at Quail Hollow
Maye’s comments come just a week after he insisted the team is fully behind their embattled head coach after he stepped away from the team for counseling.
‘We’re here for Coach, we love Coach,’ Maye told 7News Boston WHDH. ‘What he does for us, what he’s done for us this past year, you can’t speak into words.
‘Just thankful he’s our head coach. Know he’s dealing with some off the field and out of the coaching world, but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.’
But the scandal took a fresh twist on Wednesday night when TMZ reported Russini and Vrabel rented a boat when she was pregnant with her first child in June 2021.
The pair allegedly hired the vessel for two or three hours when he was still coaching the Tennessee Titans and she was reporting on him for ESPN.
A source with knowledge of the rental said Vrabel and Russini were the only people aboard the boat, and that claim has been supported by a signed company waiver reviewed by TMZ.
Vrabel and Russini reportedly hesitated to have their pictures taken with onlookers that day. According to TMZ, she declined to have a photo taken with fans, while he agreed on the condition that the picture not be posted online.
Interestingly, Russini would give birth to her first of two sons in August of 2021, according to online records. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Russini and Vrabel for comment.
Vrabel has been accused of having an affair with NFL insider Dianna Russini over several years
Following the pictures of them at an Arizona resort, the Post has also published photos of Vrabel and Russini enjoying breakfast together at the aforementioned Arizona resort and other pictures showing the two kissing at a New York bar, reportedly, in March of 2020.
She and her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, were married in September of 2020. Vrabel has been married to his wife Jen since 1999.
Furthermore, The Daily Mail has also published photos of Vrabel with Russini at a Biloxi, Mississippi casino in January of 2024.
The Russini-Vrabel fallout is still permeating the NFL and The Athletic, where she worked until her recent resignation.
Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor at website, finally addressed the matter during a late-April meeting with staff by admitting his messaging on the matter could have been better.
He also mentioned the investigation into Russini’s reporting that was previously reported by The Daily Mail and other outlets. That probe is being led by standards and editorial quality editor Mike Semel and it is expected to be lengthy, according to Front Office Sports.
In April, Vrabel addressed media and announced he would miss the third day of the NFL Draft to attend a counselling session with his family.
‘I understand that there are questions, but 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,’ Vrabel said prior to the first round of the NFL Draft.
‘That’s going to start, that has started, and that’ll continue this weekend and it’ll continue for however long it takes for me to give them and to complete that promise of giving them the best version of me possible.
‘My priorities are my family and this football team – and in that order – and there’s a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend and that’s where I’ll be.’
Russini and husband Kevin Goldschmidt were married in New Jersey in September of 2020
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and they have two children
Maye also addressed former Patriots teammate Stefon Diggs’ acquittal on charges that he assaulted his live-in personal chef.
The charges stemmed from a December 2 incident at his Massachusetts home where Jamila Adams testified that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument.
Diggs had pled not guilty to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before clearing Diggs of all charges and the acquittal in court clears a path for the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to return to the field, although he could still face discipline from the NFL.
‘Well, you know, he’s always been a great teammate to me and I know he’ll do great things,’ Maye said. ‘I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He’s a great player.’
And as for the shoulder injury that hampered him down the stretch last season, Maye said he’s doing ‘great.’
‘Nothing, nothing, no problems at all,’ said Maye, adding that he did not need surgery.
The Patriots will host a three-day rookie minicamp beginning Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
