Patriots rookie Caleb Lomu discusses dealings with Mike Vrabel amid Dianna Russini controversy, makes promise to Drake Maye

Shortly before the New England Patriots made offensive tackle Caleb Lomu the 28th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Mike Vrabel confirmed that he would be spending the final day of the draft away from the Patriots and announced that he could potentially miss more days of work amid the ongoing controversy involving the head coach and longtime reporter Dianna Russini.

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Lomu was asked about his interactions with Vrabel since the draft. 

Caleb Lomu: Mike Vrabel has been "amazing," "awesome"

"With Coach Vrabel, it’s been amazing, the energy that that guy brings to this team," Lomu said, per Karen Guregian of MassLive. "You can kind of just feel it. I haven’t been here yet, but I can already feel it, and I can see it just out on the field. The energy that he brings, that’s what you want in a head coach, that’s what you want for a team, and that’s why I believe they went so far last year. Everything’s been awesome with him." 

A Thursday report revealed that the Patriots remain "firmly behind Vrabel" amid the scandal that first went public after photos surfaced showing the coach and Russini, who are married to other people, spending time together at an Arizona resort in late March. Since Russini resigned from her role of covering the NFL for The Athletic, more pictures of the two together at different points over the past six years have emerged. A recent story shared that they rented a boat together in June 2021 when Russini was pregnant with her first child.

Caleb Lomu makes promise to Drake Maye

As it pertains to on-the-field matters, Lomu's top job will be to protect quarterback and 2025 Most Valuable Player Award finalist Drake Maye. 

"He’s young, and so he’ll be here for a long time," Lomu said about Maye, per Mark Daniels of MassLive. "I plan on staying here for a long time as well, and I’m very excited to get that, excited to be able to meet him here soon in person. But so far it’s been positive." 

Lomu added that he is "excited to be able to protect for [Maye] and play with him." Lomu quickly becoming one of Maye's favorite teammates would be a big boost for the Patriots as they look to return to the Super Bowl for a second straight year.