Karen Guregian: Mike Vrabel’s battle is far from over

“When we got here a year ago, we wanted to have a product you guys would be proud of,” Vrabel began. “You’re used to winners. Robert and Jonathan (Kraft), they put winners on the field, and that’s what you guys are used to and that’s what we’ve talked about bringing back.”

Bringing back a product fans will be proud of is going to be a tall order. And that would be the case with or without any scandal.

At this point, between Vrabel’s availability, or lack of such dealing with the mess, having a much tougher schedule in 2026, and having a team that’s still lacking in elite talent and game-changing players, the mission has grown infinitely harder.

As it is, Vrabel, the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, was uncertain when he would be back, or how much time he’d be away from the football team as a result of the Russini mess.

“I can’t answer that,” Vrabel said when asked how long he might need to be away. “I can only say that whatever my family needs, that’s what I’m going to provide.

“But I also understand what’s needed from me here. This is an exciting time. We just finished our first week (of offseason workouts). Guys are excited. I see leaders developing the new players that we brought on to the team, and I’m confident that if I weren’t able to be here, that we have people in place that can support them and do those things.“

That sounds good in theory. It should be an exciting time with new players and new draft picks coming aboard. And Vrabel’s staff is top-notch.

But given his status, given what it’s going to take to get his house in order so to speak, the impact of his time away remains to be seen.

And, given what’s transpired, given the steps Vrabel needs to take to give everyone “the best version of me possible” it’s easy to question if he’ll still have the same all-in buy-in from the players as a result.

Will he still command the room with his larger-than-life personality, which has dimmed considerably in recent days?

Will he elicit the same kind of faith and trust from his players?

Along with his family, Vrabel has now had to address his players, his coaching staff, and the Krafts more than once dealing with this difficult subject.

Is there more to come? Has Page Six finally lobbed it’s last grenade?

Time will tell.

The organization came out in support of him Thursday. And season ticket holders certainly seemed to have continued allegiance to Vrabel in wake of all the allegations and innuendo created from the tabloid photos.

Many offered words of encouragement when he spoke to them Thursday night.

One season ticket holder yelled: “We love you, Mike.”

Another screamed: “We support you.”

But the work - the repair from damage already done - is far from over.

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