Overview
- Owner Robert Kraft said on July 17 that he has “strong belief and faith” in Mike Vrabel and that he hopes Vrabel remains the Patriots’ head coach for years, an endorsement that makes it unlikely the team will remove him before the season.
- The controversy began in April when Page Six published photos of Vrabel with reporter Dianna Russini, and The Athletic opened an internal review that preceded Russini’s resignation on April 14.
- Vrabel took personal steps after the images surfaced, missing Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to enter counseling and issuing a statement that he had committed to work on his family and leadership roles.
- The NFL has said it is not investigating Vrabel’s behavior and several Patriots players publicly voiced support for him, but questions about reporting ethics and the timing of roster moves — notably the A.J. Brown trade — have continued to draw scrutiny.
- With veterans due to report July 24 and the first camp practice set shortly after, the owner’s backing lets the Patriots enter camp with leadership stability even as the episode and The Athletic’s review leave the door open for further reporting.