New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters Wednesday for the first time since two of his players, Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore, were hit with criminal charges earlier this week, stressing that the organization is treating both situations as ongoing legal matters rather than football distractions.
Diggs is facing a felony charge of strangulation or suffocation, along with a misdemeanor assault and battery charge, tied to an alleged December 2 incident at his Dedham, Massachusetts home. According to court filings, the accusation stems from a dispute involving a woman identified as his personal chef, with authorities alleging the situation escalated into a physical altercation over payment.
Barmore, meanwhile, has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with an alleged August 8 incident involving an ex-girlfriend in Massachusetts. Court documents allege the two argued over food and the temperature in his bedroom, during which Barmore allegedly grabbed the woman, prevented her from leaving, and threw her to the floor before releasing her.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Vrabel pushed back against the idea that the situations have shaken his confidence in the locker room or his message about accountability.
“Not disappointed at all,” Vrabel said when asked about his reaction. “These are allegations. It’s things that we have to handle, and every day there are distractions, some are smaller than others. I’m confident that we’ll focus on the Dolphins, and those two individuals will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.”
The Patriots have previously acknowledged being aware of the situations and have said they informed the NFL in a timely manner. Both cases remain unresolved, and neither player has been convicted of any wrongdoing. Diggs has publicly denied the allegations against him, while Barmore has not commented.
As the legal process plays out, Vrabel made clear the team’s immediate priority remains on the field. New England is set to close out its regular season Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins, with the coach emphasizing preparation and focus amid a challenging week off the field.