Devin McCourty believes Patriots will be ‘tested’ in wake of Mike Vrabel’s controversial offseason

Former Patriots safety Devin McCourty weighed in on the impact of the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal during Thursday’s NBC broadcast of the Hall of Fame Game. 

The NFL offseason headlines were dominated by the scandal first reported by Page Six after it published intimate photos of the NFL insider and the head coach at a resort in Arizona, before further images surfaced of the two appearing to kiss in a dimly lit New York bar years earlier. 

While the drama played out off the field, McCourty couldn’t help but wonder what the impact would be for the Patriots players on it. 

“I think the thing you’ve got to wonder is, it’s going to start Week 1 in Seattle,” he said on-air. “That atmosphere, we were up there last year. They looked to Mike Vrabel. They look to him when things get tough. Do they still feel the same way? His character’s been tested. Will this team follow him wherever he goes? That’s going to be tested right away Week 1.”

Patriots players have voiced their support for Vrabel in the wake of the scandal and team owner Robert Kraft addressed the chaotic offseason for Vrabel while at Fanatics Fest in Manhattan last month. 

“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.”

The Patriots are expected to be among the top teams in the AFC this season after quarterback Drake Maye had a breakout season for New England to lead them to a Super Bowl appearance last year.