NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel answered questions about the latest criminal charges against star players Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore at a news conference Wednesday.
Diggs was accused of assaulting a private chef during a dispute over money, while Barmore has been charged with domestic violence and battery charges after his girlfriend told police he had thrown her to the ground in August.
Vrabel said the latest development is not “disappointing.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
(Left) New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sept. 21, 2025. (Right) New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Nov. 2, Ohio, Nov. 3, Ohio. 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images; Peter Joneleit/AP Photo, File)
“I would say it’s not disappointing at all. It’s allegations,” Vrabel said when asked how disappointing the “distractions” were ahead of the playoffs. “These are things we have to deal with and every day there are distractions, some less than others. I’m confident we’ll focus on the Dolphins and the two people you mentioned will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.”
Vrabel also said he doesn’t expect the development to be distracting.
“Afraid? No, not afraid,” he said.
Vrabel declined to clarify whether there would be any team discipline meted out to the players, suggesting the team had been aware of the alleged incidents before they were revealed to the public.
“Again, there are ongoing legal matters. And these are allegations again. We’ve made a statement, we’ve taken the allegations very seriously, and whatever comes out of that, I think we’ll have a new discussion. But I don’t think we should jump to any kind of conclusions right now and let the process take its course,” he said. “We always want to gather more information, but these are — we’ve been aware of these allegations. Yesterday and today aren’t the first we’ve heard of them. Trying to do everything in line with league policy and make sure we’re in compliance with the league.”
When asked when the team was made aware of Diggs’ allegations, Vrabel said, “When they were able to make us aware of the court documents and things like that.”
In a statement, the team acknowledged the situation and said the 32-year-old receiver denied the claims against him. “The New England Patriots are aware of the allegations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further legal comment at this time.”
SAINTS COACH KELLEN MOORE DISCUSSES USING JUSTIN TUCKER FOR WORKOUTS: ‘HE’S BEEN THROUGH AN EXPERIENCE’
Asked what the line in the statement that the team “supported” Diggs meant, Vrabel said: “That everybody that we care about and that we’ve been close to for a while, we support. And we do. We understand that there are allegations, but we also want to support every single player, every single coach, every single staff member.”
Diggs allegedly choked his female chef over money earlier this month. The woman told police that Diggs “slapped her in the face,” that she tried to push him away, and then “he tried to choke her by using his elbow around her neck.”
Meanwhile Barmore allegedly grabbed the victim’s phone as she attempted to leave his residence. The alleged victim then “intended to open the door and scream for help, but Christian grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor.” Barmore then allegedly grabbed the victim by the shirt near her neck. Barmore also allegedly told the victim that he wanted his cousin to “f— [her] up.”
The NFL has said both Diggs and Barmore are eligible to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
“There is no change in status for Diggs or Barmore. Both are eligible to play at this time,” the league said in a statement. “Pursuant to the Personal Conduct Policy (attached), consideration for placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt List may be considered following formal charges in the form of a grand jury indictment, filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an indictment in a criminal court.”
David Meier, one of Diggs’ attorneys, confirmed that the veteran NFL wide receiver categorically denies the claims made against him, adding that the dispute was between an employer and an employee.
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. They are unsubstantiated, unverified and never investigated – because they did not occur. The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction to establish the truth in a court of law. Stefon looks forward to the law.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to the media during a news conference at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-Imagn photos)
Barmore’s attorney released the following statement:
“We are confident that the evidence will show that no criminal conduct took place. Based on the facts and the law, we expect that this personal matter will be resolved in the near future and both parties will move forward together.”
