What Mike Vrabel’s message to Patriots was after Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore allegations

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What Mike Vrabel’s message to Patriots was after Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore allegations

Chris Mason · MassLive

Wed, Dec 31, 2025 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH — With two star players facing criminal charges, Mike Vrabel knew there would be plenty of eyes on the Patriots this week.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing multiple charges, including felony strangulation, for an alleged altercation with a personal chef, while defensive tackle Christian Barmore is facing a domestic violence charge stemming from August.

The Patriots knew about both legal situations already, and Vrabel said he addressed the team with a specific message in mind.

“I talked to the team about making sure that we speak to ourselves,” Vrabel said. “If Stef and Christian have something to say, I support that, but we’re also going to speak for ourselves and make sure they are focused on what they have to do and the improvements they have to make. The focus this week is improve through practice and try to finish what we started.”

Asked how he hopes to limit distractions, Vrabel doubled down on his initial message to the Patriots .

“Improve through practice, finish what you started, and speak for yourself. That’s what we’ve talked about. That was my message and we’ll continue to do that. Can’t worry about playoff scenarios and a lot of what-ifs. We’re going to focus on trying to make sure we’re as prepared for a team we haven’t played (since September).”

Vrabel expected both Diggs and Barmore to be available for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, though he said the defensive tackle was away with an illness on Wednesday.

Diggs, 32, is facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery from an incident that occurred on Dec. 2 in Dedham. According to a police report, Diggs is being accused of hitting and choking a personal chef over a monetary dispute.

Barmore, 26, is facing one charge of misdemeanor assault and battery on a family/household member stemming from an alleged altercation that occurred on Aug. 8 in Mansfield. Per a police report, the mother of Barmore’s child said she wanted to leave, then accused the defensive tackle of throwing her to the floor and disconnecting a call when she tried to phone her mother.

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