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NFL: Week Two Previews; 1pm Games

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FOXBOROUGH – (Wire Service Previews by Field Level Media) – Week Two of the 2026 NFL season might be a bit early to declare a “must win” situation, but according to historical data tracked since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only 43 out of 422 teams (10.1%) that started 0-2 managed to rebound and secure a postseason berth. Since 2020 (14-Team Bracket Expansion): The odds jump slightly to 12.2% due to the added wild card spot and the 17-game schedule.

For the New England Patriots, overcoming an 0-2 start this year would be a grueling task due to their upcoming schedule. Following the Steelers game, New England faces a difficult stretch:

  • Week 3: At the Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Week 4: At the Buffalo Bills (who are already off to a dominant 2-0 start).

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at New England Patriots (0-1)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -4.5, total 41.5
Series History: The Steelers lead 16-15; the Patriots have won three of the last four.

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The Steelers let their defense do the dirty work in Week 1. LBs T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith combined for four sacks, Watt had a pick-6 and the Falcons leaned almost entirely on RB Bijan Robinson for offense. The Patriots welcome back RB TreVeyon Henderson after he sat out Week 1 with an ankle injury. He brings a valuable speed and big-play threat, and QB Drake Maye could use a crutch after his three-INT opener at Seattle. Maye also lost No. 1 WR A.J. Brown (ankle) in the loss and Romeo Doubs didn’t make a great first impression with costly drops. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (221 yards, one passing TD), back in Mike McCarthy’s scheme, worked from the middle of the field to the sideline last week.

Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Panthers -2.5, total 43.5
Series History: The Falcons lead the all-time series (37-25), but the Panthers have won four of the past five.

Carolina’s offense exploded for 478 yards in Week 1 behind Bryce Young’s 361 yards and three touchdowns passing, but turnovers and defensive breakdowns doomed the Panthers in a 59-37 loss to the Bears. Young has historically played well against Atlanta. WRs Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker and RB Chuba Hubbard give them multiple explosive options. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson has to be salivating after the Panthers allowed 291 rushing yards to the Bears. However, Atlanta didn’t make a call at quarterback. It’s likely Cooper Rush will make another start with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) possibly planning to return Thursday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Robinson, who posted 173 scrimmage yards in Week 1, has four consecutive games against Carolina with 100-plus yards from scrimmage. Atlanta struggled offensively in its loss to Pittsburgh, managing just 13 points and 238 total yards. Rush was particularly ineffective on third down, converting only 16.7% to first downs. Za’Darius Smith’s two sacks and a strong secondary featuring A.J. Terrell and rookie Xavier Watts helped the Falcons stick around.

New Orleans Saints (0-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -8.5, total 46.5
Series History: The Ravens have won four of the past five meetings.

The Saints went for two and the upset victory of Detroit in overtime in a one-point loss, but their offense came away looking like a winner. QB Tyler Shough’s 410-yard, three-touchdown performance generated plenty of excitement around the young quarterback. WR Chris Olave had 182 receiving yards and New Orleans held up reasonably well in pass protection but did allow five sacks. Still, Shough was able to take consistent shots downfield. The Ravens overwhelmed Indianapolis in Week 1, generating turnovers and consistent pressure on Daniel Jones. Baltimore also put on an offensive show at Indy. QB Lamar Jackson appeared to have quickly mastered new play-caller Declan Doyle’s scheme. Jackson threw for 324 yards and added a rushing touchdown, while Derrick Henry delivered a vintage performance with 144 rushing yards and three scores. Where Jackson will go with the ball on pass plays will depend on whether WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) is back in the lineup. Flowers posted a career-high 150 yards in Week 1 without playing a snap in the second half.

Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Chicago Bears (1-0)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Bears -4.5, total 47.5
Series History: In the 2020s, the Vikings are 9-3 in this matchup. They swept the season series in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Rain and wind could become a factor Sunday as the Vikings venture outside the dome for a second consecutive division matchup. Minnesota opened the season with a 39-22 win over Green Bay despite losing Kyler Murray (concussion) in the first half. Carson Wentz led the rally with four consecutive TD drives in the second half. Wentz had three touchdown passes and leaned heavily on WR Justin Jefferson, who finished with 92 yards and two scores. The Vikings did allow nearly 400 passing yards as they lived and died with the blitz, firing five-plus defenders into the pocket on more than 65 percent of their snaps. There will be a risk-reward balance at Chicago. The Bears put up 59 points with a dominant ground game producing six touchdowns. QB Caleb Williams said he’s looking forward to the cat-and-mouse game with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Williams had 269 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added two rushing TDs. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combined for 224 rushing yards. The Bears did not throw a perfect game defensively at Carolina and getting pressure on Wentz will be of significant importance.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) at Houston Texans (0-1)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -2.5, total 45.5
Series History: The Texans have won four of the past five meetings.

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Joe Burrow completed 71% of his passes and the Bengals generated 351 total yards against the Buccaneers, but they had their defense — and three forced fumbles — to thank for coming out on top. The Bengals had four sacks and four takeaways. They shift their focus to C.J. Stroud, who won’t have No. 1 WR Nico Collins (hamstring) available. Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 while RB David Montgomery carried the offense with three TDs. The Texans can get to Burrow, but the issue last week was communication in the back seven. Houston was hammered by Josh Allen and the Bills for 409 total yards. With Collins out, the Bengals can tip the scales in their favor by handling Montgomery.

Green Bay Packers (0-1) at New York Jets (1-0)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -3.5, total 44.5
Series History: The Packers have won three of the past four meetings.

There could be changes afoot on the Packers’ offensive line. QB Jordan Love threw for 387 yards in a loss to the Vikings but felt pressure consistently. It might be too soon for major changes on defense, but coordinator Jonathon Gannon admitted this week Green Bay won’t win games surrendering 39 points. WR Christian Watson looked the part as Love’s go-to guy. He worked in the slot often, where his size and speed make him a nightmare for most defenses. Watson finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns. Second-year pro Matthew Golden added 95 receiving yards. The Packers are still searching for a rotation they can trust at running back with Josh Jacobs on the exempt list. The Jets opened their season with a convincing 23-10 win over Tennessee, highlighted by a balanced offensive attack and strong defensive play. Geno Smith was aggressive and efficient, completing nearly 80% of his passes. RB Breece Hall likely has Gannon concerned after he dominated with 118 total yards.

Cleveland Browns (0-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -8.5, total 41.5
Series History: The Browns won the last meeting between these teams and hold a 7-4 advantage all-time.

Baker Mayfield gets a chance to show the Browns what they’re missing after choosing Deshaun Watson over the former No. 1 pick in 2022. Mayfield, who bounced from Carolina to the Rams and then signed with the Buccaneers, said in the offseason this was a game he circled on his calendar. Watson kept the starting job after the Browns fell behind 31-0 at Jacksonville and lost 34-10. Rookie WR Denzel Boston caught a 59-yard touchdown in garbage time, the only highlight in a miserable offensive outing. The Browns struggled to protect Watson, who was sacked five times, lost a fumble and was intercepted. The Buccaneers lost three fumbles, and the costly mistakes tipped the scales in a Week 1 shootout loss to Cincinnati. Mayfield completed 82% of his passes and added a rushing touchdown. RB Bucky Irving contributed 93 scrimmage yards, and WR Emeka Egbuka (five catches, 63 yards) showed strong chemistry with Mayfield. The Browns had little choice but to abandon the running game and Quinshon Judkins. To keep this one tight, they’ll need to generate longer drives and keep the vengeful Mayfield on the sideline.

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
FanDuel odds: Eagles -7, total 39.5
Series History: The Eagles lead the all-time series 8-5.

He heard some boos and then generated the opposite in the opener, but Jalen Hurts threw three touchdowns against the Commanders. RB Saquon Barkley rushed for 83 yards and TE Dallas Goedert delivered two touchdowns as the Eagles kept Washington’s defense guessing. The Titans have a few riddles of their own to solve. They lost to the Jets in Week 1 and managed only 195 total yards. Cam Ward averaged only 4.4 yards per pass attempt which clogged lanes near the line of scrimmage in Brian Daboll’s first game as offensive coordinator. On the defensive side, Titans LB Anthony Hill was exceptional, posting 16 tackles and two pass breakups. Ward will be responsible for creating big plays to keep pace with Philadelphia. If the Titans can slow Barkley and force Hurts to throw early and often, Tennessee can keep it tight.

 

Patriots, Maye Face Tough Pitt D

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FOXBOROUGH – (Wire Service Report) – New England QB Drake Maye will be seeking a bounce-back performance when the Patriots face the Pittsburgh Steelers  in Massachusetts today.

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Maye was intercepted three times in the fourth quarter of New England’s 13-10 loss to Seattle in Week 1. The Patriots were in field goal range when Josh Jobe picked off a Maye pass in the end zone with 21 seconds to play.

“The decisions a quarterback makes have a lot to do with wins and losses,” Maye said. “I know that and respect that and realize what I need to do to help the team win. … I’m looking forward to getting back out there and having another chance. Another week.”

Maye, the runner-up to Matthew Stafford as the NFL MVP last season, completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

“I think there’s a difference between being reckless and being aggressive,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “We want to be aggressive. That’s how we want to play, but we also have to make great decisions when there’s a look or something that maybe would take a play away.”

The Patriots will be without wide receiver A.J. Brown, who was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a high ankle sprain in the third quarter against Seattle. Brown, who caught three passes for 26 yards against the Seahawks, is expected to miss six weeks.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson, who did not play against Seattle because of an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice Wednesday. Tackle Dametrious Crownover (knee) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (neck) did not practice, while offensive lineman Ben Brown (knee), linebacker Dre’Mont Jones (foot) and linebacker Robert Spillane (knee) were limited participants.

Mike McCarthy won his first game as Pittsburgh’s head coach when the Steelers opened the season with a 20-13 win over Atlanta.

T.J. Watt delivered the game’s key play, intercepting a Cooper Rush pass early in the fourth quarter and returning it 35 yards for a touchdown that gave Pittsburgh a 20-10 lead. Watt, who also recorded two sacks in the victory, was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

“Not only did he make the play, but the ability to get up and finish, it was incredible,” McCarthy said. “It was a great finish by the whole defense, and the momentum swing that came with that, that was obviously huge. That was clearly the biggest play in the game.”

Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth, but the Pittsburgh offense struggled for most of the game. The Steelers failed to convert on 10 of their 13 third-down opportunities and were held to 58 yards on the ground. Jaylen Warren led the team in rushing with 46 yards on 10 carries.

“We’re going to trust our menu of offense, and we’re going to line up and try to attack their defense the way we feel gives us the best chance to be successful,” McCarthy said. “Nothing’s changed with how we feel about throwing the ball short, long, intermediate, all that. It’s important to have all those components of your pass game.”

Pittsburgh offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (ankle) and tight end Darnell Washington (personal reasons) did not practice Wednesday, while receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) was limited.

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (not injury related/conditioning) continues to work his way back onto the field and was also a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. Porter was inactive against Atlanta and is still dealing with a back injury that kept him sidelined through training camp and the preseason.

–Field Level Media

A.J. Brown Out Four+ Weeks

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FOXBOROUGH – (Wire service Report) – The New England Patriots will put wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve because of a high-ankle sprain sustained in a season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to multiple media reports.

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Brown walked off the field with the injury to his right ankle on New England’s opening possession of the second half in the Patriots’ 13-10 road loss on Wednesday. An MRI confirmed the high-ankle sprain.

He must miss at least four games before the Patriots can activate him. The earliest Brown could return would be New England’s Week 6.

The injury occurred when Brown was targeted by a third-down pass from Drake Maye, but Seahawks nickel cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett deflected the pass to force a punt. Pritchett’s knee landed on the outside of Brown’s ankle, which twisted inward as he went to the ground.

Brown removed his right cleat and entered the blue medical tent on the sideline as the Patriots added a field goal to go ahead 10-0 in the third quarter.

 

Seahawks Rally to Defeat Patriots, 17-10

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SEATTLE – (Wire Service Report) – Josh Jobe intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the end zone with 21 seconds remaining as the Seahawks beat New England 13-10 in a Super Bowl rematch Wednesday night.

Seattle picked off Maye on New England’s final three possessions to overcome a 10-0 deficit and the early exit of starting quarterback Sam Darnold.

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Well within the field-goal range of Andy Borregales, who connected on a 50-yarder earlier in the game, the Patriots went for the win in the final minute rather than taking the game to overtime. New England converted on fourth down twice on the final drive. Maye hit wide receiver Mack Hollins for 11 yards on fourth-and-9 on the first play after the two-minute warning to move the chains, after the QB ran for 5 yards on fourth-and-2 earlier in the possession.

His third-and-5 toss was underthrown, and Jobe was in front of Hollins one step into the end zone.

Backup quarterback Drew Lock helped save the day for Seattle. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.

The Seahawks turned the tide in the fourth quarter with three interceptions and three sacks of Maye, who was rarely pressured in the first half. His first gamble of the game early in the fourth quarter was a deep pass intended for Romeo Doubs that was tipped in the air and intercepted by Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett.

Seattle turned the first takeaway of the game into points when Lock hooked up with Smith-Njigba on a short fourth-down completion. A play-fake froze the Patriots’ defense, and Lock fired to Smith-Njigba for a short gain, and the receiver turned upfield to open turf to do the rest for a game-tying 45-yard touchdown with 11:28 to play.

On the ensuing possession, Maye tried to go deep over the middle, but safety Julian Love leapt in front of wide receiver DeMario Douglas for another pick. The play came after Doubs dropped a pass for what would have been a clear first down on a crossing route.

The Seahawks drove inside the New England 5, but two incompletions and a delay-of-game penalty led to Seattle settling for a chip-shot field goal from Jason Myers with just under six minutes left in the game.

The Patriots lost wide receiver A.J. Brown to a right ankle injury early on their first drive in the third quarter.

Five plays into their title defense, Seattle had its script shredded. Darnold left the game with a hip injury after being dragged down for a sack by Dre’Mont Jones and didn’t return.

Seahawks first-time play-caller Brian Fleury was caught in the whirlwind with Lock, who played 38 total snaps last season, pushed into the primetime spotlight. Fleury was hired after Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak left to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

With the Seahawks trailing 10-0 and 5:30 left in the third quarter, Lock floated a pass down the right sideline to Cooper Kupp for the longest gain of the game to that point, a 24-yarder. Kupp adjusted to the underthrown pass and hauled it in with his right arm. Three plays later, Lock zipped a quick slant pass to his left and found Kupp for an apparent 7-yard TD, but it was negated by an illegal shift.

The Seahawks settled for a 30-yard field goal by Myers and trailed 10-3 with 3:13 left in the third quarter.

Maye finished 23 of 33 for 178 yards, one touchdown and the three picks.

–Field Level Media

Henderson to Sit for Pats’ Opener

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SEATTLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots ruled out running back TreVeyon Henderson for the NFL season opener Wednesday against the host Seattle Seahawks.

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Henderson did not practice all week due to a lingering ankle injury he suffered Aug. 24, when he slipped on a run play during practice.

Henderson, 23, led the Patriots in his rookie season with 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He had six attempts for 19 yards and added three catches for 26 yards in New England’s 29-13 loss to Seattle in Super Bowl LX, but now won’t be available for the rematch.

That will mean more work for Rhamondre Stevenson as the Patriots’ lead ball-carrier. Stevenson enters his sixth season in the league, all with the Patriots, after gaining 603 rushing yards and scoring nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving) last year.

The Patriots had already ruled out offensive lineman Ben Brown (knee), who did not make the trip west. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (knee) is cleared to play.

On the other side, the Seahawks ruled out safety Ty Okada (hamstring) and deemed fellow safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) questionable. Wide receiver Tory Horton (hamstring) is also questionable. Offensive lineman Josh Jones (knee) carries no game designation.

Emmanwori was limited on the Seahawks’ practice report all three days this week. Tuesday’s was an estimation, as the defending champs only held a walkthrough.

Emmanwori, 22, had a standout first season in the NFL and was runner-up for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had 81 tackles (nine for loss), 2.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups and one interception.

He played through multiple ankle sprains during the season, including a low sprain suffered days before the Super Bowl, and had an arthroscopic procedure during the offseason.

–Field Level Media

Patriots’ Gonzalez NFL’s Top $ Corner

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Completing protracted negotiations, the New England Patriots agreed to a contract extension that makes Christian Gonzalez the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, multiple media outlets reported late Monday night.

The four-year, $135 million extension reportedly includes $102 million in guaranteed money.

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The pact moves Gonzalez ahead of the Seattle Seahawks’ Devon Witherspoon, who agreed in mid-August to a four-year, $132 million extension with $101 million guaranteed.

The Gonzalez deal comes two days before the Patriots and the Seahawks will clash in a season-opening Super Bowl rematch at Seattle.

Gonzalez, 24, missed two weeks of training camp action in August due to a leg injury, but he has been back at full strength for two weeks.

A 2023 first-round draft pick out of Oregon, Gonzalez played just four games for New England that year due to a right shoulder injury. He returned the following year to log two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and 59 tackles in 16 games, all starts.

Last year, Gonzalez recorded 10 passes defensed and 69 tackles in 14 games, all starts. During the Patriots’ postseason run that ended in a Super Bowl defeat, he registered one interception, one sack, one forced fumble, seven passes defensed and 19 tackles in four games.

–Field Level Media

Richardson to Start vs Patriots

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Anthony Richardson Sr. was named the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason opener Thursday night at New England.

Richardson, who is splitting second-team reps with Riley Leonard, has also practiced some with the third team during training camp. He requested a trade in the offseason, when the Colts made a stronger financial commitment to incumbent starting QB Daniel Jones.

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Head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday following joint practices with the Patriots that Richardson would play the entire first half before Leonard takes over in the third quarter.

“Riley will start against Atlanta (on Aug. 22), and AR will play the second half in Atlanta,” Steichen said, adding it’s “pretty obvious I don’t want to take any chances with Daniel out there in the preseason.”

Richardson did not start a game last season. When Jones was injured in November, the Colts were ready to turn to Leonard. But because of a minor injury, they instead coaxed Philip Rivers out of retirement.

Jones won’t be the only starter not on the field with Richardson this week. Steichen said the majority of his offensive starters are unlikely to play.

“There’s going to be a slew of them that aren’t playing,” Steichen said. “There will be a couple of guys that might get a few series here and there, but for the most part, the starters won’t play.”

The opportunity gives Richardson, 24, a shot at improving his standing on the Indianapolis depth chart while also showcasing the ability that attracted the Colts to select him with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft out of the University of Florida.

“I feel like finally getting out there, finally managing the game,” Richardson said of the Thursday start. “And processing the live action plays will help me get back into the groove and just feel everything out.”

Richardson threw two passes and played in only two games in 2025. In 17 total NFL games, he has a completion percentage of 50.6 with 11 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions and 10 rushing TDs.

–Field Level Media

Comcast To Air NFL Red Zone

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PHILADELPHIA – (Wire Service Report) – Comcast, the nation’s second-largest cable television provider under the brand Xfinity, has reached an agreement with Disney to lift the current blackout and resume airing the NFL Network and NFL RedZone to its roughly 11 million subscribers in time for the 2026 season.

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Disney owns 72% of ESPN, which took over NFL Media assets earlier this year. Shortly after the takeover, the contract with Comcast expired and the two parties could not reach an immediate deal.

Xfinity TV subscribers have been in the dark since the end of April.

Financial terms of the agreement were not announced. Disney was believed to have demanded higher fees and additional live game broadcasts, but it is unclear whether Comcast agreed to any of those demands.

The NFL Network was launched in 2003 and, as of June 2023, was available in 51.5 million homes across the United States.

NFL RedZone, hosted by Scott Hanson, was launched in September 2009.
–Field Level Media

Kraft Being Krafty

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FOXBOROUGH – (Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the team offered Christian Gonzalez a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

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Kraft did not reveal the specific terms of the deal on Saturday, the first day of training camp.

“We love Christian Gonzalez,” Kraft said during the team’s Pawtriots pet adoption event, per the Boston Herald. “We love him as a player, as a person. That’s why we’ve made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player ever to play that position in the NFL, and coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in the Patriots franchise history.

“So we’re glad we drafted him and we developed here, and we hope he’ll be with us for a long time.”

Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension for the first time after being selected by the Patriots with the 17th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Kraft did not reveal the specific terms of the deal on Saturday, the first day of training camp.

“We love Christian Gonzalez,” Kraft said during the team’s Pawtriots pet adoption event, per the Boston Herald. “We love him as a player, as a person. That’s why we’ve made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player ever to play that position in the NFL, and coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in the Patriots franchise history.

“So we’re glad we drafted him and we developed here, and we hope he’ll be with us for a long time.”

Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension for the first time after being selected by the Patriots with the 17th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Los Angeles Rams’ Trent McDuffie is currently the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, pocketing $31 million per season on his four-year, $131 million contract that he signed this offseason.

Gonzalez, 24, made the Pro Bowl last season after posting 69 tackles and 10 passes defensed in 14 starts. He has three interceptions, 24 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one sack and 145 tackles in 34 career games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

Cold Play: Vrabel Photos Surface

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NEW YORK – (Wire Service Report) – Newly surfaced photos appear to show Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini kissing in a New York City bar back in 2020.

The New York Post’s Page Six published the photos Thursday, one day after the New England Patriots head coach announced that he will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday to attend counseling.

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The scandal began on April 7 when the Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini, then an NFL reporter for The Athletic, holding hands and hugging at a luxury resort in Sedona, Arizona.

The pictures published Thursday were supposedly taken at the Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020 and appear to show the pair sitting close together at the bar and sharing a kiss. “They were kissing and they were all over each other. He had a ring on,” an eyewitness told Page Six.

At the time of the photos on March 11, 2020 — remembered as the day COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization — Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and already married to his current wife, while Russini was engaged to her current husband.

Vrabel, 50, gave a statement to the Post for Thursday’s story.

“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them,” he said. “In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.

“I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be,” Vrabel continued. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”

Vrabel will be with the Patriots on Thursday night when they make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 31 overall, and also when they choose players late in the second and third rounds on Friday. He will be absent for the last four rounds on Saturday.

“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being,” the Patriots said in a statement on Thursday. “Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.

“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and (executive vice president of player personnel) Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”

Russini resigned from The Athletic last week amid an investigation by the New York Times-run organization into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

When the Arizona photos initially came out, Vrabel said the pictures “show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

Vrabel became the head coach of the Patriots — one of the teams for which he played — ahead of the 2025 season and guided New England to Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.

Vrabel earned his second AP NFL Coach of the Year honor last season after winning the award in 2021 when he led the Titans. He was Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-23.

–Field Level Media