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Robert Kraft has opened up about Mike Vrabel’s eventful offseason.
Alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin during Fanatics Fest in New York on Friday, ESPN host Shae Cornette asked the Patriots owner about his head coach’s scandal-plagued offseason.
“Well, we’re privileged to have Mike as our head coach,” Kraft replied. “You know, no one is infallible. And what’s great about Mike is he has great intellectual knowledge about football — all the technical skills. He relates to the players beautifully.
“And he’s someone I have a strong belief and faith in. And I hope he’s going to be our head coach for many years to come.”
This marks the first time Kraft, 85, has publicly spoken about Vrabel following a scandal with longtime NFL insider Diana Russini, which was first reported by Page Six in April.
Despite the controversy where the coach and reporter were photographed getting cozy and appearing to kiss, Vrabel has been retained as New England’s head coach with training camp around the corner.
Vrabel skipped the third day of the NFL draft in April to seek counseling in the wake of the scandal.
Although Russini’s future in sports media remains unknown, she spoke on the issue in June. The former reporter for The Athletic and ESPN is out of the business, for now, at least.
“This has had a significant impact on my life, both professionally and personally,” Russini wrote while referring to herself as an ex-journalist to The New York Times, which owns The Athletic.
Earlier this month, Russini was spotted on a luxury cruise with her husband, Page Six reported.
The Pats are expected to be among the favorites in the AFC again this season after reaching the Super Bowl last year, their first appearance in the post-Tom Brady era.
New England also executed a high-profile trade for three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown, who was acquired from the Eagles for a future first- and a fifth-round draft choice in early June.
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