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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots looks on prior to the start of Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots have two very big contract negotiations to think about, with the first one already coming into play.

Star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and is eligible for an extension. Meanwhile, New England will be faced with extension talks with Drake Maye next offseason as the 2026 season will mark the quarterback’s third year in the league.

When speaking with local reporters at the NFL’s Annual Meetings in Phoenix, Patriots owner Robert Kraft made it clear that the team plans to keep these two key players around.

“Well, we always try,” Kraft said. “We have a salary cap, so we have a limit. So, we have to think (about) what’s best for the team in terms of timing, of the signing and of course, the earlier you do it, it’s believed it’s more economically satisfactory. But we leave that to Mike Vrabel, Elliot Wolf and our people making contract decisions. We’re lucky to have those two players and I hope and believe they’ll be with us for the long term.”

Christian Gonzalez Is Set To Get A Big Pay Day

GettyChristian Gonzalez

The Patriots will have the option to put off contract discussions with Gonzalez since he was a first-round draft pick, and they can exercise a fifth-year option for the 2027 NFL season that would pay the cornerback  $18.1 million.

However, regardless of whether it happens this year or next year, Gonzalez is set to make a lot of money.

During the 2025 regular season, Gonzalez finished with 69 total tackles and 10 passes defended, adding 19 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one interception, and seven passes defended during the playoffs. Specifically, his best performance of the year came during Super Bowl LX, making some highlight-reel plays despite the loss.

Plus, Gonzalez’s contract talks were certainly aided by the Los Angeles Rams inking Trent McDuffie to a record four-year, $124 million extension just days after he was traded by the Kansas City Chiefs.

And with that, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf made it clear how the team is feeling.

“Yeah, Christian is a tremendous player. There’s no secret we’d like to get something done with him,” Wolf said on the Up & Adams Show. “He’s a great talent. He’s one of the best players at his position in the NFL. He’s developing as a leader… He’s really just scratching the surface. He’s already up there as an elite talent and we think he can improve even more.”

Christian Gonzalez Sent A Clear Message To The Patriots At The Celtics Game

Christian Gonzalez was sitting courtside at the Boston Celtics game on Wednesday, March 25 and had some fun when he was shown on the Jumbotron.

Specifically, the cornerback used the opportunity to hype the crowd up and then send a message. As he enters a contract year, Gonzalez used his fingers to make a money gesture.

And fans were loving it.

“Please pay this man alllllll of the money,” one fan posted.

“Please pay Gonzo his money,” the popular account Drake Maye Lover wrote.

“This is hopefully the sign that he just came from signing his extension and it will be leaked at any moment lol,” another fan commented.

Sophie Weller Sophie Weller is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com. She also works for Patriots Wire, and previously spent time with A to Z Sports and MassLive. She is based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and loves all things football! More about Sophie Weller