Mike Vrabel tells reporters he loves his wife, one month into ‘counseling’

Mike Vrabel left the New England Patriots on the third day of the NFL Draft and previously said he would seek “counseling” after his relationship with reporter Deanna Russini was revealed on Soap Opera. Now, speaking to reporters for the first time since the draft, the coach provided an update on the process of getting things back to normal.

”It was really good,” Vrabel said. “I’m grateful that my family is amazing. I love [wife] jen [Vrabel]I love the boys, I love my personal friends…”

This is nice.

Clearly, the scandal that plagued Vrabel throughout April is far from over. It remains to be seen what will happen if a few more photos of Vrabel and Russini are posted together. And his update on Wednesday is also just his opinion, and we don’t know how his family feels.

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But this seems positive.

Vrabel seemed at ease explaining how he dealt with distractions in his personal life that could possibly interfere with his professional duties of coaching an NFL team.

”Again, we all have to deal with things outside of here,” Vrabel said. “My focus and obviously my excitement about coaching is the most important thing right now.” This is a great opportunity.

“In the spring, you don’t have to worry about the opponent. The schedule is pretty much the same. The guys are just going through their routines and every day in the spring is similar. But it’s just about teaching. It’s about teaching them the scheme.”

“Right now in the spring, it’s a time where they can focus on not only conditioning but all the little details that will help them. That’s all I know and all I want to be able to do.”

This may signal that Mr. Vrabel is changing course on the scandal.

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There were no pointed questions about his “counseling” sessions. Or his marriage, and how it is surviving or not.

Instead, Vrabel was asked about possible additions to New England’s wide receiver room, even if no one’s name was revealed.

And the coach volunteered the names of players who were not participating in this voluntary part of the team’s offseason program.

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So this felt like football business as usual.

This is clearly a marked change from the last time Mr. Vrabel explained his situation to reporters, amidst the scandal caused by his relationship with Mr. Russini and a story published in the New York Post and later widely reported elsewhere.

In case you want details, those photos included Vrabel and Russini (both married to other people) sharing time together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona. They were pictured lounging by the pool together, sharing a hot tub, cuddling and holding hands on the roof of their bungalow.

Russini ultimately resigned from his position at The Athletic and closed his social media accounts.

Vrabel apparently kept his job but met with owners and players about the issue. He also pledged to take more time to make himself a better person, though he missed the final day of the NFL Draft to be with his family.

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“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization, and this team that I would give them the best possible version of myself.” Vrabel said in a statement. It was released on ESPN on April 23rd.

“In order to do so, I have committed to counseling starting this weekend. This is something I have thought about a lot and if I were going to do counseling it would be something I would advise players to do.”

Follow Armando Salguero on X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO