New England Patriots
“This journey that we are going to go on is going to be completely different than the one we went on last year.”
Mike Vrabel spoke with the media on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe
August 11, 2026 | 3:04 PM
3 minutes to read
FOXBOROUGH — Mike Vrabel and the Patriots took another sizable step forward in their ramp-up to the 2026 season on Tuesday with a competitive joint practice with the Colts.
But as New England’s head coach focuses on the future, he was asked about an offseason rife with drama on Tuesday morning.
As part of his meeting with the media on Tuesday, one reporter posed a question to Vrabel about what he learned from counseling sessions held in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“I think we always look at improvement,” Vrabel said. “As we talk about getting ready for the next season, we always look at improvement and ways that we can improve individually and how we can improve as a team. It’s really critical that we continue to do that on and off the field. I believe in that.
“I believe in everything that we can do to help this football team, to help our coaches, to help myself and everybody else included. This journey that we are going to go on is going to be completely different than the one we went on last year. That’s all of our jobs — is to prepare for it now. So, really focused on our improvement individually and as a team, and that’s something that we can do today.”
For several months in the spring, Vrabel was at the forefront of one of the NFL’s top offseason storylines due to his reported relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
That ongoing storyline directly impacted New England’s offseason plans, with Vrabel missing Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to seek said counseling with his family.
“My priorities are my family, and this football team, and in that order,” Vrabel said in April. “There’s a balance there that I am going to create, and my family needs me this weekend, and that’s where I’ll be. But I’m confident in the people that we have. I’m confident in the preparation [for the draft].”
As part of his comments on Tuesday, Vrabel was asked a follow-up about whether or not those counseling sessions will carry over into the regular season.
“We are always going to try to find ways to prepare and focus on our mental fitness, and that’s going to continue with me, the coaches, the staff and our players,” Vrabel said. “So, I love what Dr. JJ [Jonathan Jenkins] does for our football team and our ability to use that as a resource.”
This is not the first time that Vrabel has had to address his eventful offseason since New England’s preseason work commenced.
In May, Vrabel was asked about limiting his own distractions this spring — especially in the aftermath of the head coach’s repeated comments earlier this winter about players needing to avoid drawing negative attention to themselves.
“We all have to deal with things outside of here,” Vrabel said. “My focus and the excitement I have for coaching is what is most important right now. This is a great opportunity in the spring. We don’t have to worry about opponents. Our schedule is pretty much the same.”
“My family is great,” Vrabel added. “I love [my wife] Jen. I love the boys [Tyler and Carter]. I love my personal friends.”
Earlier this offseason, several of Vrabel’s players voiced their support for their head coach — including Drake Maye.
“We’re here for Coach, we love Coach and what he does for us, and has done for us this past year,” Maye told WHDH in April. ”You can’t speak it into words, and thankfully, he’s our head coach. We know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world, but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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