New England Patriots
“The present — that’s why they call it a present, man. It’s a gift.”
Drake Maye is due for a sizable pay raise after this upcoming season. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
August 5, 2026 | 6:19 PM
2 minutes to read
FOXBOROUGH — One of the top storylines so far during Patriots training camp has had very little to do with roster battles, cut candidates, or New England’s efforts to build off of last year’s Super Bowl run.
Rather, Christian Gonzalez’s ongoing contract stalemate has hovered over the Patriots’ preparation for the 2026 campaign for months now. The 24-year-old cornerback is looking to put pen to paper on a contract that will likely make him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.
Both parties have yet to bridge the gap on a contract, even with Patriots owner Robert Kraft noting at the start of training camp that New England put an offer on the table that would make Gonzalez the highest-paid corner in league history. Gonzalez is still a full participant during training camp as he awaits a hefty new deal.
With the discourse regarding Gonzalez and his pending payday looming over New England, Patriots QB Drake Maye was asked about his own future with the club, especially when it comes to his own contract.
“I’m not thinking about that right now,” Maye answered. “I’m a big fan of Gonzo and kind of how things are playing out, so I respect him for being out here and competing and wanting to practice. I think that speaks a lot for him wanting to be here.
“I said it before, he’s one of the best corners in the league, so I’m looking forward to playing with him, and I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Maye — who finished runner-up to Matthew Stafford in NFL MVP voting this past season — will be eligible to sign a contract extension with the Patriots after the 2026 season.
Barring outright calamity, Maye will inevitably secure a pay bump that will make him one of the highest-paid signal-callers in the league — especially if he can take another step forward in his second full season as a starter in the NFL in 2026.
Maye was asked a follow-up about whether or not Gonzalez’s approach this summer as a willing camp participant during contract talks has him pondering what next summer could look like for him.
“I don’t think it’s hard not to think about it,” Maye said. “I try to be in the present. The present — that’s why they call it a present, man. It’s a gift. So I just try to be here, be where my feet are, and try to get better and better.”
After initially signing a four-year, fully-guaranteed $36.6 million contract with New England in May 2024, Maye could be in line for a new contract worth close to half a billion dollars next summer.
Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes is currently under contract on an eight-year, $504 million contract with nearly $400 million guaranteed, while even younger QBs like Trevor Lawrence signed off on a five-year, $275 million extension with the Jaguars in June 2024.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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