Mike Vrabel arrives at Patriots press conference with puppy in hand as he Dodges Dianna Russini question
Mike Vrabel had his first New England Patriots press conference of coaching camp this week, which — most significantly, in fact — marked his first actual time in entrance of reporters for the reason that offseason fallout involving Dianna Russini.
Naturally, Vrabel got here locked and loaded with a response…simply not the type you noticed coming.
Frankly, it is not the type any of us noticed coming, however I’ll admit, it was a strong plan.
The second-year coach confirmed as much as his presser with a canine in hand. That’s proper. TO DOG. A tiny little canine. It was all a part of the Patriots’ “Pawtriots” program, which is now in its second 12 months. Basically, the workforce opens the primary day of training camp by internet hosting a canine adoption occasion.
MIKE VRABEL UNTOUCHED BY DIANNA RUSSINI SCANDAL AT FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE OF PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP
Naturally, this labored completely in Vrabel’s favor after one of many worst offseasons for a head coach that I can bear in mind.
Take a glance at THIS:
Vrabel and the Patriots play chess on Day 1
“Welcome everybody, it’s good to see you guys,” Vrabel stated with a smirk to open the 2026 season. “If anyone’s looking to add to your roster at home, we’d love for you to be able to adopt these dogs.”
Amazing. What a transfer by Vrabel and the Patriots. It’s known as zigging whereas others zag, and so they nailed it.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holds a press conference earlier than minicamp observe at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 9, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect)
Oh, you wanna hammer me with questions on my offseason of infidelity? Fine! You’re gonna do it whereas I’m holding an deserted puppy. Fire away, media!
Of course, it labored! Like a attraction, truly. Vrabel did not area one question about Dianna Russini, as OutKick’s Armando Salguero famous on Friday:
It was all soccer – which Vrabel deftly handles like Ted Williams did fastballs again in the day.
Vrabel was requested in regards to the standing of second-round draft choose Gabe Jacas, who stays unsigned. Reporters certainly concentrated six of their 20 or so inquiries to Vrabel on the Jacas matter.
How’s the contract negotiations?
How’s his well being?
Football stuff.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks at a information conference after an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
That’s it. That’s all we bought from Vrabel on Day 1 after an offseason that included a cheating scandal with an NFL insider that was so dangerous, it bought her fired.
That was so dangerous, it despatched Vrabel into rehab throughout the NFL Draft.
That was SW dangerous, it bought Russini’s personal employer — the New York Times — to put in writing a scathing hit-piece on her after the very fact.
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But throughout Friday’s first presser in MONTHS, Vrabel got here locked and loaded with a canine in the identical approach gamers and coaches do with their children after a nasty loss.
Dianna Russini seems on the pink carpet previous to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 10, 2022. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
It’s a chess transfer I did not see coming, however one I, sadly, should respect.
Welcome again, NFL. We’ve missed this kind of pettiness.
