Drake Maye throws support behind Mike Vrabel amid Patriots coach's off-field issues

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald on Apr 30, 2026

Published in Football

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Patriots quarterback Drake Maye backed his head coach, Mike Vrabel, on Thursday.

Maye, speaking at a Best Buddies event, was asked about Vrabel amid the head coach’s off-field controversy.

“We’re here for coach, we love coach and what he does for us, and has done for us this past year. You can’t speak it into words, and thankfully, he’s our head coach,” Maye told WHDH. “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.”

Vrabel sought counseling and missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft after multiple news outlets posted photographs of him and former Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini dating as far back as 2020. The most recent photographs, which were taken in March, showed Vrabel and Russini holding hands and embracing.

Vrabel addressed the Patriots about his off-field issues last Monday during the first day of the team’s offseason workout program.

“Just being open and honest,” guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said of Vrabel’s comments to the team. “I think that’s a key in any relationship. And I give credit to him. He’s very honest with us, very open as well. So I don’t think a lot of people would be able to do that. I respect that a lot. I’m excited to be coached by Vrabel. I think he’s a phenomenal coach in this league.”