Patriots reporter Karen Guregian on fallout of Mike Vrabel & Dianna Russini scandal, AJ Brown trade impact and other news from wild New England offseason

Check out other recent videos on the 2026 NFL Draft and Free Agency:

1) Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shares 2026 NFL Draft intel, AJ Brown news, Vrabel nuggets

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFT8yZgaRUY)

2) 2026 NFL Draft Round 1: Winners, losers, grades and analysis for every team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bFiKMnnur4

3) Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee) on owning the New York Jets, growth of Vayner Sports and why kindness every day matters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH85OjB-sHk

4) 2026 NFL Draft: Ranking Top 10 Running Back Prospects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5R0HIPmAqI

5) Top 10 Best Unsigned Free Agents (https://bit.ly/4lPbp47).

Download and Listen to “Between the Tackles” on Apple (https://bit.ly/4s3hZ8Y) and Spotify (https://bit.ly/4dIiVMd).

WATCH

SUBSCRIBE (for free) to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tacklespod

LISTEN

DOWNLOAD, COMMENT & LEAVE A 5️ RATING on Apple: https://bit.ly/4s3hZ8Y and Spotify: https://bit.ly/4dIiVMd

FOLLOW & STAY CONNECTED

IG and TikTok: @TacklesPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishmehta23/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3BJj4R8RWZS5CBXZ46EoWRZQ%3D%3D

Longtime New England Patriots columnist and reporter Karen Guregian of Mass Live (@KGuregian on X) takes a deep dive into how the New York Post Page 6 story on head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL Insider from the Athletic Dianna Russini will impact the team in the coming months and the 2026 NFL season.

Guregian discusses her recent story on MassLive.com about how Patriots legends and Hall of Famers like Rodney Harrison, Vince Wilfork and Devin McCourty think Vrabel will navigate the scandal (https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2026/05/why-patriots-legends-believe-mike-vrabel-will-survive-dianna-russini-scandal-karen-guregian.html).

How will Vrabel’s action play in the Patriots locker room? Will players forgive and forget or will there be a segment of them that will question the coach who led them to a Super Bowl appearance last season. Guregian conveys a story from McCourty comparing the distinct differences between Vrabel and former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick… and why it will be more challenging for Vrabel to reestablish his connection with his players.

Guregian talks about whether “Vrabel-lite” can still thrive at the highest level. Will critics pile on if the Patriots struggle early in the 2026 season?

Guregian is the longest tenured female reporter on the Patriots beat. She talks candidly about whether Vrabel’s legacy has been tarnished given his previous comments in an ESPN story about respecting the hurdles that female journalists have to clear covering the NFL. Guregian also is open about whether Russini’s actions made it more difficult for women to gain respect in this industry.

Will Vrabel resign if things become untenable? Does Robert Kraft have any desire to part ways with him?

After the Vrabel talk, Guregian dives into the A.J. Brown trade and how the soon-to-be former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl wide receiver can impact Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and the offense. How will offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels feature and work with Brown?

The guys wrap up with talk about the Patriots 2026 NFl Draft class highlighted by Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and Illinois pass rusher Gabe Jacas. What does Lomu’s arrival mean for left tackle Will Campbell? Finally, will Kayshon Boutte be traded?

A thoughtful conversation with one of the respected voices covering the New England Patriots.

Highlights:

(2:53): What Devin McCourty, Vince Wilford and Rodney Harrison said about Mike Vrabel

(7:30): What if the Patriots get off to a slow start in the 2026 regular season with a tougher schedule?

(19:55): Can “Vrabel-Lite” be successful?

(11:30): Difference between Vrabel and Bill Belichick when navigating scandal

(14:35): Mike Vrabel is not a victim

(19:00): Did Dianna Russini make it harder for female reporters to gain respect now?

(21:15): Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot and Shilo Sanders controversy

(27:55): Are people going too far with the jokes about Vrabel and Russini?

(30:11): Any scenario where Vrabel resigns as Patriots coach?

(32:00): AJ Brown trade and impact. Who has leverage now?

(40:00): Can Josh McDaniels co-exist with a strong-willed wide receiver like AJ Brown?

(42:30): 2026 NFL Draft class analysis: Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas. Impact on Will Campbell?

(50:45): Kayshon Boutte’s future with Patriots?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.