Patriots' Drake Maye again addresses future of Mike Vrabel as Dianna Russini controversy continues

New details about the controversy involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini seemingly emerge on a weekly basis this spring. 

Quarterback Drake Maye is one of several Patriots players who have publicly voiced their support for Vrabel since photos first emerged showing the coach and Russini spending time together at an Arizona resort in late March. While speaking with The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) following the Truist Championship Pro-Am on Wednesday, Maye referred to Vrabel as "a great human being." 

Is Drake Maye worried that Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini controversy will be a distraction for the Patriots? 

"No, I don't," Maye responded when asked if he feels the Vrabel-Russini saga will be a distraction for the Patriots. "I mean, he's our head coach. I think he's done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I'm just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready."

As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted, multiple sets of pictures have surfaced showing Vrabel and Russini spending time together at different places from March 2020 through this past March. On Wednesday, TMZ Sports reported that the two figures, who are married to other people, rented a boat together in June 2021 when Russini was pregnant with her first child.

Russini resigned from her role with The Athletic in April, and Vrabel reportedly participated in counseling while spending the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft away from the Patriots. It has been suggested that he could "take a leave of absence for 2026," but Maye seemed confident that he will have Vrabel as his head coach for the foreseeable future. 

How Patriots will get past Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini controversy

"I think that'll take care of itself," Maye said about the defending AFC champions putting the Vrabel-Russini matter behind them. "I know he's got the right mindset, and I know he's a great human being. I think he's...like I said, I love playing for him."

That's all well and good, but it remains to be seen if Maye will find himself playing for an interim coach such as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels by the time September comes around.