Mike Vrabel’s Call with Patriots’ First-Round Pick Turns Awkward

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel asked Caleb Lomu to be with his family before drafting him 28th overall has created a buzz on social media.

Mike Vrabel’s Call with Patriots’ First-Round Pick Turns Awkward

Caleb Lomu and Mike Vrabel (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Mike Vrabel's conversation with Patriots' draft pick Caleb Lomu was perceived as awkward amid ongoing controversy.
  • Vrabel took responsibility for his actions and announced he is undergoing counseling.
  • Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic following an investigation into her conduct related to the scandal.

Given the controversy surrounding Mike Vrabel‘s rumored affair with NFL insider Dianna Russini, one would imagine that the New England Patriots media team will try to keep the spotlight away from him for a few days. Instead, the admins highlighted Vrabel’s conversation with the Patriots’ day-one draft pick Caleb Lomu, and the internet noticed something interesting.

Initially, New England owned the 31st overall pick. However, general manager Eliot Wolf traded with the Buffalo Bills and moved up a few places to 28th overall to draft Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. Wolf handed Vrabel the phone, and here’s what he said.

Caleb, how are you, man? This is Coach [Mike] Vrabel. Congratulations… We’re excited to have you. I hope you’re with your family and you’re enjoying this. And we can’t wait to get you here and give you a chance to help the football team.

With everything that has happened this month, Vrabel’s interaction with Lomu sounded very awkward. Then again, he may have to deal with such scenarios going forward. He won’t be around on day three, though, as he’s supposed to check in for counseling sessions. Wolf will take care of business in his absence. Wolf said about Vrabel:

Obviously, [Mike Vrabel’s] a tremendous recruiter, so that’s maybe something that we’ll be missing… We’re very confident in the people we have with the process. The assistant coaches have done a tremendous job, as have the scouts, preparing for day three. And we’re excited about it.

Mike Vrabel took responsibility for the ongoing controversy

A day before the draft, Vrabel walked into the media room and spoke for the first time about the controversy involving him and Russini. He took responsibility for the actions and announced that he is undergoing counseling.

Mike Vrabel’s Call with Patriots’ First-Round Pick Turns Awkward
Mike Vrabel (Image via IMAGO)

On April 9, the New York Post received photos from a tipster. In the pictures, Vrabel and Russini are holding hands and relaxing by a pool. The post says that the pictures were taken at a fancy hotel in Arizona.

The Athletic, the sports wing of The New York Times, for which Russini worked, supported her during the initial phase. However, as new evidence emerged, the publication sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into her conduct. But before the investigation could end, Russini decided to turn in her resignation letter. Russini wrote via Page Six:

I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career… I remain grateful to The Athletic.

Former ESPN contributor and independent journalist Pablo Torre uncovered more dirt on the scandal. Torre heard from reliable sources that Russini held pool parties during the NFL meetings and invited coaches and their wives to enjoy some downtime.

A thing I found out is that their friendship was not breaking news to the people at the NFL owners meetings. They all knew that, in fact, they were out front together at this other competing, aspirational party.

Russini’s overtly friendly behavior toward Vrabel at such parties piqued the guests’ curiosity. So, it did not surprise them when intimate photos of Vrabel and Russini were leaked.

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