Patriots owner Robert Kraft breaks silence on Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini controversy

A report from May claimed that New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had the "full support" of team owner Robert Kraft amid what was, at the time, the ongoing controversy involving Vrabel and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini.

During a Friday appearance on ESPN's "First Take" program, Kraft publicly addressed the matter that has been hovering over the defending AFC champions since this past spring. 

Robert Kraft on Mike Vrabel controversy: "No one is infallible"

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, show host Shae Cornette said the following to Kraft: "There’s been a little bit of a tumultuous offseason, we can call [it], for your head coach, Mike Vrabel. What’s it been like navigating that during the offseason?"

"Well, we’re privileged to have Mike as our head coach," Kraft responded. "You know, no one is infallible. And what’s great about Mike is he has great intellectual knowledge about football, all the technical skills." 

This saga started when pictures first emerged showing Vrabel and Russini, who are married to other people, spending time together at an Arizona resort in late March. Since that time, additional pictures were published showing the two sharing a kiss and "sitting very close to each other" at a New York City bar in March 2020. Vrabel and Russini were also spotted at the Beau Rivage Casino in Mississippi in January 2024, along with at other locations at other times. 

Russini has denied any wrongdoing on multiple occasions, including via a letter she wrote confirming her resignation from her role of covering the NFL for The Athletic. Meanwhile, there has been no indication that Vrabel has ever been in danger of losing his job. 

Robert Kraft makes feelings on keeping Mike Vrabel as head coach clear

Numerous Patriots players publicly backed Vrabel throughout the offseason program, and his squad seems to be embracing an "us against the world" mentality heading into the 2026 campaign. 

"He relates to the players beautifully," Kraft added about Vrabel. "And he’s someone I have a strong belief and faith in. And I hope he’s going to be our head coach for many years to come."

Vrabel likely will face more questions from media members about this topic at some point after veteran Patriots players report for training camp on July 24. It remains to be seen if Russini will tell her side of the story via an interview or published piece between now and the end of the upcoming NFL season.