Patriots 'Fully Support' Mike Vrabel's Decision to Skip NFL Draft Day 3, Seek Counseling

The New England Patriots released a statement Thursday regarding head coach Mike Vrabel ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

"The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel's decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being," the statement read. "Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.

"We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend."

The statement from the team comes after Vrabel said Wednesday that he will not be with the Patriots for the third day of the draft on Saturday, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

"As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend," Vrabel said. "This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.

"I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result."

The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds of the NFL draft take place Saturday, and the Patriots currently have eight picks scheduled for that day. New England is scheduled to pick 31st overall in Thursday's first round and has one pick in each of the second and third rounds.

While they are making those picks Saturday, Vrabel will be spending time with his family after he was recently photographed with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at a hotel in Arizona.

Russini resigned from her role with The Athletic on April 14.

Vrabel talked to the media Tuesday for the first time since the photographs were published and Russini resigned. 

"I've had some difficult conversations with people I care about—with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players," he said. "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."