Vrabel Steps Back for Counseling, Patriots Focus on Draft

0:00On April 23rd, Patriots coach Mike Verabel is stepping back from the team on the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft Saturday, April 25th to focus on counseling. The team fully backs his call amid fallout from intimate photos servicing with former reporter Diana Rossini. Both are married to other people and the picks first drop showing them hugging and chilling poolside in Sedona, Arizona back in early April. However he came Thursday when his tabloid published older shots of Reabel with a woman at a New York City bar over six years ago. Reabel hit pause on his initial brush off and spoke to reporters Tuesday, April 21st, owning up that good decisions matter on and off the field. To avoid distractions, he had real talks with players during offseason workouts, their first big meet-up since dropping Super Bowl 60 to Seattle. NFL officials confirmed no probe into personal conduct policy violations, and Reabel stressed he'll deliver his best self-moving forward for family, fans, and a squad.

1:04Rossini quit the athletic on April 14th after the company reviewed her work, though she stood by her reporting. The Patriots say Draft Prep is locked in, with exec Elliott Wolfen staff ready to roll without Reabel on site Saturday. This saga tests leadership in the spotlight, but the team's eyeing focus on picks and progress as Reabel works through it. Stay locked in with NFL News Today. AI-powered updates. I'm Corey with The Story.