New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye insists the team remains fully behind Mike Vrabel amid their embattled head coach’s affair scandal.
Vrabel began counseling last Saturday following explosive allegations that he had an affair with female sports reporter Dianna Russini, who resigned from her job at The Athletic earlier this month after Page Six released photos of them fraternizing at a $2,500-a-night adults-only retreat in Sedona, Arizona.
The pair, who are both married with children, initially denied those accusations while claiming they were at the resort with a larger group of people at the time.
However, last week Vrabel issued a groveling apology to his family and revealed he would be starting counseling at the weekend, which forced him to miss the third day of the NFL Draft.
And following his return to New England duty this week, the 50-year-old has received some much-needed support from his starting quarterback.
‘We’re here for Coach, we love Coach,’ Maye told 7News Boston WHDH on Wednesday night. ‘What he does for us, what he’s done for us this past year, you can’t speak into words.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye says the team remains fully behind Mike Vrabel
‘Just thankful he’s our head coach. Know he’s dealing with some off the field and out of the coaching world, but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.’
Maye, 23, was selected by the Patriots with the third overall pick in the 2024 Draft after his standout college career with North Carolina.
Following a disappointing rookie year, in which the team failed to make the playoffs, the Huntersville native helped New England reach its first Super Bowl for seven years after Vrabel replaced Jerod Mayo as head coach.
In 21 regular and postseason outings, Maye threw for 5,222 yards for 37 touchdowns while also registering 628 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, before the Patriots were beaten at Super Bowl LX by the Seattle Seahawks.
Vrabel, who previously spent time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, was afforded a round of applause and a standing ovation when he greeted fans in Foxborough on Wednesday.
During a season ticket holder event at Gillette Stadium, he received a warm welcome back to the team following his counseling session over the weekend, suggesting Patriots fans are very much still behind him.
