New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has finally spoken out on the controversy swirling around his head coach, Mike Vrabel, and former NFL insider Dianna Russini. The third-year signal-caller, who led the Patriots to a Super Bowl last season, addressed the situation publicly for the first time Wednesday evening at a charity event in New England.
In an interview with Jonathan Hall of 7 News Boston, Maye made it clear where his loyalty lies. “We’re here for coach, we love coach,” Maye said. “We know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world but we’re here for him and I know he’s gonna come back.”
Maye, a first-round pick from North Carolina in 2024, is the latest Patriot to rally behind Vrabel as photos of the married coach with Russini—spanning six years—have surfaced via outlets like Page Six and TMZ Sports. The scandal has dominated headlines, but Maye and his teammates are determined to keep their eyes on the prize.
“We’re here for coach, we love coach,” Maye repeated, emphasizing the team’s unwavering support. The quarterback’s comments come amid a storm of media scrutiny, but he’s not alone in his stance.
Linebacker Robert Spillane echoed that sentiment, telling reporters, “Coach coaches football and he keeps the main thing, the main thing. I know he’s dealing with personal issues, but when we’re in the building, we speak football.” Tight end Hunter Henry also chimed in, focusing on the team’s future: “Obviously I know you guys want to hear about everything that’s going on. To be honest with you, I’m focused on what we got going on right now in this building, with this team.”
The Patriots’ locker room unity is palpable, even as the Vrabel-Russini scandal continues to unfold. Fans have also voiced their support, with Patriots faithful delivering a thunderous message to the embattled coach during a recent game. However, not everyone is on Vrabel’s side—some critics have called for accountability, and Cris Carter blasted the double standard that has seen Russini’s career destroyed while Vrabel walks free.
Meanwhile, the personal fallout continues. Reports indicate that Jen Vrabel called an emergency marriage summit after the scandal broke, and the coach’s ‘Most Influential’ cover hit newsstands at the worst possible moment. Despite the chaos, the Patriots are determined to move forward. “Every year is a new year, so we’re trying to build this team, we’re trying to come together,” Henry said. “We have a long journey ahead of us; we have to start somewhere, so we’re starting right now.”
As the season approaches, Maye’s message is clear: the Patriots are united, and they’re ready to put the distractions behind them. For now, the focus is on football—and on standing by their coach through the storm.
