SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Media availability is officially over for the Patriots until Super Bowl LX, and some players are probably thrilled.

The NFL throws players a bone by only making them available Monday through Thursday during Super Bowl week. During a normal week, players speak to reporters Wednesday through Friday, and they’re usually sick of having us in the locker room by Friday when they’re trying to get out of the building on time.

Let’s start this diary on Wednesday night. The injury report was released late — around 8 p.m. ET. Then the pool practice reports were delivered to email inboxes around 9:30 p.m.

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The Patriots’ pool report, via The Ringer’s Lindsay Jones, was fairly standard. Drake Maye threw, linebacker Robert Spillane didn’t participate, and the Krafts and wide receiver Julian Edelman were in attendance.

One of the biggest pieces of news of the week came via the Seahawks’ pool report, and that’s that rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury while leaping up in a passing drill. It would be a pretty significant blow to Seattle’s secondary if Emmanwori can’t play or is physically limited in Super Bowl LX.

Knowing I had a shuttle to catch Patriots availability at 6 a.m. PT, I went to bed extremely early, because being tired during Super Bowl week is inevitable but also stinks.

It was a lighter crowd at Patriots media availability. Head coach Mike Vrabel kicked things off with a press conference, followed by Maye.

Vrabel was asked about his idols growing up.

“I was a basketball player. I liked Moses Malone. I liked Charles Barkley,” Vrabel said. “I always tell Charles he was one of my favorite basketball players. I liked Bernie Kosar. Just a big sports family that did a lot of things.”

Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots addresses the media prior to Super Bowl LX at the Santa Clara Marriott on February 05, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Maye gave an update on his shoulder injury.

“I’m not trying to lie to you guys,” Maye said, smiling. “I’m saying I’m feeling great.”

Then 10 players were at podiums, and the rest of the players and coaching staff were sitting at tables.

Here’s who were set up at podiums: C Garrett Bradbury, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Christian Gonzalez, TE Hunter Henry, LB Anfernee Jennings, OLB Harold Landry III, RG Mike Onwenu, LB Robert Spillane, DT Milton Williams and WR Stefon Diggs.

Diggs repped Boston by wearing a Red Sox hat. Wide receiver Mack Hollins brought a chess board to play chess with reporters who were asking him questions. I spent some time talking to Gibbens, Henry, QB Joshua Dobbs, S Jaylinn Hawkins, OT Vederian Lowe, DT Cory Durden, TE Austin Hooper, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jack Gibbens, S/ST Brenden Schooler, FB Jack Westover and OLB Bradyn Swinson.

I asked Swinson about the most memorable Super Bowl he watched as a fan.

“Probably the Patriots beating the Falcons,” Swinson said. “I’m from Atlanta. I had my whole outfit laid out on the bed when it was 28-3. Then it ended quick. Tom Brady ended it quick. That’s probably the worst memory I have about the Super Bowl right there. That ruined my whole day.”

Is he glad he’s wearing a Patriots uniform now then?

“Yeah, this uniform means a lot. It comes with a lot. The city of Boston itself is just the city of champions. If you wear this, you’re representing like a Roman Empire. It’s representing a lot of good things.”

Milton Williams of the New England Patriots addresses the media prior to Super Bowl LX at the Santa Clara Marriott on February 04, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Schooler said he spent the players’ day off with Gibbens, punter Bryce Baringer and long snapper Julian Ashby going to the beach at Half Moon Bay.

“Got to go on the beach, jump in the water, throw the football around on the sand, order Mexican food, eat on the balcony, watching the sunset,” Schooler said. “So, being able to share moments like that with the guys who I’m close with on the team. We’re not gonna ever forget those kind of moments.”

Today was a two-shuttle day for the Boston Herald crew. We just went from our hotel in San Francisco down to Patriots media availability and back.

I stopped by Radio Row briefly after player interviews were over to see who was around. I caught up with some old friends and Super Bowl champions, former Patriots offensive lineman Ted Karras and cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan before heading over to my hotel to record a podcast with Giants.com. I grabbed some lunch and returned to the media center to go live on my own podcast, Pats Chat, at 1 p.m. PT.

Radio row was absolutely packed on Thursday. NFL stars like Justin Jefferson, Jameis Winston, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Trevor Lawrence were there, and for the pro wrestling crowd, Seth Rollins, MJF, Orange Cassidy and Brie and Nikki Bella were all talking too, among others.