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Mike Reiss
Multiple authors
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will not be with the team during the third day of the NFL draft on Saturday.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of myself that I could give them. To achieve that, I have committed to seeking counseling starting this weekend,” Vrabel said Wednesday night. “This is something I’ve thought about a lot and it’s something I would recommend a player do if I were advising them.
“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I need to do to be the best husband, father, and coach I can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but I know it will make me a better person. I appreciate the support everyone has given me, and I promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
Vrabel, who has two children with his wife Jen, plans to be with his family this weekend outside of Massachusetts.
In a statement Thursday hours before the draft began, the Patriots said they “fully support” Vrabel’s decision.
“Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to fulfill that commitment,” the team said.
On Tuesday, Vrabel addressed the media for the first time since the New York Post published photos that appeared to show the coach hugging and holding hands with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at a resort in Arizona. He told reporters Tuesday that it was a “personal, private matter,” adding that he “has had some difficult conversations with people I care about: my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.”
Vrabel called those conversations “positive and productive.”
“We believe that to be successful on and off the field you have to make good decisions. That includes me,” he said. “That starts with me.”
Vrabel said he will remain in contact with the Patriots on Saturday for the final day of the draft, but expressed confidence in executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden to lead the draft room.
“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our staff throughout this pre-draft process,” the Patriots said in their statement Thursday. “While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know that draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”
The Patriots enter the draft with 11 picks, led by the 31st pick of the first round. Eight of their picks are on the final day of the draft: two in the fourth round, one in the fifth, four in the sixth and one in the seventh.