Mike Vrabel chose wisely.
No, no, no. I’m not referring to what you think I am. Not directly, at least.
In the weeks after the 2024 NFL season ended, Vrabel had options. He interviewed with the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears, and would have been at the top of several other teams’ wish lists if he and the New England Patriots hadn’t quickly come to a deal.
The Patriots, however, were a perfect fit. Not only, as it turns out, because Vrabel won three Super Bowl titles when he played for New England and the Patriots have a promising young quarterback.
The New England Patriots can no longer be embarrassed
See, the Patriots and owner Robert Kraft are immune to embarrassment. They’ve weathered enough scandals and cringe-worthy episodes already that the drip-drip-drip of photos and videos linking Vrabel to an extramarital relationship with Dianna Russini, The Athletic’s former NFL insider, barely raise an eyebrow.
Vrabel has been able to offer word salads instead of apologies and skip out on the third day of last month’s NFL draft without a word of protest from the Patriots. Quite the opposite, with the Patriots offering Vrabel their full support.
It’s not that Vrabel’s situation isn’t messy. It is. Every few days, it seems, there are new photos or anecdotes suggesting the relationship between Vrabel and Russini, both of whom are married to and have children with other people, was not strictly professional.
