New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has publicly thrown his support behind head coach Mike Vrabel, addressing the controversy surrounding Vrabel's relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini for the first time.

Speaking at an April 29 event promoting the Best Buddies Challenge in Hyannis Port, Maye delivered a heartfelt message when asked about the drama. "We're here for coach. We love coach, what he does for us, what he's done for us this past year – you can't put it into words," Maye told 7News. "Just thankful he's our head coach. I know he's dealing with some stuff off the field, and we're here for him. I know he's going to come back."

Maye's comments come on the heels of a turbulent period for the Patriots sideline leader. Vrabel missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to "begin to seek counseling" and spend time with his family. The decision followed photos that surfaced of Vrabel and Russini together at an exclusive Arizona resort ahead of the league's annual meetings in late March. Additional images published by the New York Post showed the two at a New York bar dating back to March 2020, further fueling speculation.

When Vrabel addressed his absence from the draft, he made his priorities clear. "My priorities are my family and this football team – in that order," Vrabel told reporters. "There is a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend, and that's where I'll be."

After stepping away on April 25, Vrabel returned to the Patriots' facility on April 27, ready to get back to work. For a team looking to build chemistry and momentum, Maye's public backing sends a strong signal that the locker room remains united behind their coach, both on and off the field.