Drake Maye is firmly in Mike Vrabel’s corner.
The New England Patriots quarterback called his head coach – who found himself in controversy and publicly saying he would take accountability for his actions – “a great human being.” Maye also said he doesn’t feel that the off-field controversy surrounding Vrabel and former NFL Athletic reporter Dianna Russini will be a distraction for the team coming off their Super Bowl 60 loss.
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“I know he’s got the right mindset, and I know he’s a great human being,” Maye told the Associated Press. “I think he’s … like I said, I love playing for him.”
Maye spoke to the Associated Press after he participated Wednesday, May 6 in the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte in which he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland on the back nine at Quail Hollow.
The New York Post published photographs of Vrabel and Russini together in April together at a private Arizona resort. Both are married to other people and have children with their spouses.
Vrabel missed the third and final day of the 2026 NFL Draft to be with his family and begin to seek counseling. The Patriots supported Vrabel’s decision and have stood by the 2025 Coach of the Year throughout the process. Vrabel received a standing ovation from Patriots fans during an event for season-ticket holders last month.
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Twice the week of the draft Vrabel addressed reporters. The first meeting with the media consisted of a single statement in which he said he had “difficult conversations with people I care about about.”
“With my family, the organization, the coaches, the players,” Vrabel said as part of the statement he made on April 21, a full two weeks after the New York Post published the photos.
“Those have been positive and productive. We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction.”
The message was received by the team, according to Maye.
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“I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it,” Maye told the Associated Press. “I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.”
On April 23, as the draft was beginning, the Post published more photos of Russini and Vrabel – these apparently from 2020. Vrabel issued another verbal statement and took four questions.
“My previous actions don’t meet the standard of what I hold myself to – they don’t,” Vrabel said.
Maye’s comments came a day after his former Patriots teammate, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, was acquitted on strangulation and assault and battery charges.
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“Well, you know, he’s always been a great teammate to me, and I know he’ll do great things,” Maye said of Diggs. “I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He’s a great player.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel has support from Patriots QB Drake Maye
