Julian Edelman on Pats avoiding Mike Vrabel distraction: 'We were around murderers'
New England Patriots great Julian Edelman said all teams deal with distractions and the 2026 squad should deploy an "us against the world" strategy.
Julian Edelman, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has spoken about the distractions the New England Patriots have faced while under head coach Mike Vrabel. Edelman, in an interview with USA TODAY Sports, said that during his time with the Patriots, they encountered numerous off-field issues, including the Aaron Hernandez scandal, SpyGate, DeflateGate, and more.
Edelman explained that the team simply had to focus on what they needed to do each day to improve, stating, "You just worry about what you got on your plate that day." He acknowledged that distractions are a part of the profession, noting that the Patriots have encountered murderers and big-gates during their tenure. Vrabel, who was photographed at an adults-only resort in March alongside former NFL reporter Dianna Russini, later apologized for being a distraction and sought counseling, but has not commented on the topic in recent months.
Edelman emphasized that this current Patriots team is fostering a mentally tough environment, encouraging their players to concentrate on their immediate goals and improve daily.
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