Patriots Owner Reveals Plans for Maye and Gonzalez

Kraft discusses long-term futures of star QB and CB in New England

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:58am

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In comments at the NFL owners meetings, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed his desire to keep quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the team for the long term. Kraft acknowledged the strong fan support for retaining the two young stars, who have emerged as key building blocks for the franchise.

Why it matters

Maye and Gonzalez are considered two of the brightest young talents in the NFL, and their continued presence in New England is crucial to the team's hopes of returning to championship contention in the coming years. Kraft's public comments suggest the organization is committed to keeping the duo in the fold.

The details

Kraft told reporters that the team is working to extend the contracts of both Maye and Gonzalez, who are entering the final years of their rookie deals. The owner praised the players' on-field production and leadership, saying he believes they can be the foundation of the Patriots for years to come.

  • Maye and Gonzalez are entering the final seasons of their rookie contracts in 2026.

The players

Robert Kraft

The owner of the New England Patriots franchise.

Drake Maye

The Patriots' starting quarterback, who has emerged as one of the league's top young signal-callers.

Christian Gonzalez

The Patriots' star cornerback, who has developed into one of the NFL's premier defensive backs.

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What they’re saying

“Drake and Christian are two of the most important players on our team, and we're going to do everything we can to keep them in New England for a long time.”

— Robert Kraft, Owner, New England Patriots

What’s next

The Patriots are expected to open contract extension negotiations with Maye and Gonzalez in the coming months, with the goal of locking up the two young stars before the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Kraft's public commitment to retaining Maye and Gonzalez signals the Patriots' intent to build around the duo as they look to reclaim their status as one of the NFL's elite franchises. The continued development of the two players will be crucial to the team's future success.