FOXBOROUGH, MA — In a stunning turn of events that has fans across Patriots Nation buzzing, Drake Maye, one of the New England Patriots’ most promising stars, has turned down a $55 million offer from the Las Vegas Raiders — a deal brokered by kicker Daniel Carlson, who had been working tirelessly to lure his longtime friend to the west.
The pitch was enticing: sunshine, a fresh start, and an enormous paycheck. But for Maye, the decision wasn’t about comfort or cash — it was about loyalty to the Patriots and their fans.“When Daniel called me, I honestly thought it was a joke,” Maye laughed, leaning back in his locker after a grueling Wednesday practice. “Fifty-five million is a lot of money, but I told him, ‘Bro, I’m not leaving my legacy here for a different color jersey.’”
Carlson, reached by phone in Las Vegas, admitted he tried everything to persuade Maye.
“I told him about the weather, the lifestyle, the fans. Heck, I even mentioned the nightlife in Vegas,” Carlson said with a chuckle. “But Drake hit me with, ‘I bleed navy and silver.’ And I knew right then — he wasn’t going anywhere.”
Inside the Patriots’ training facility, Maye’s teammates reacted with admiration. Quarterback Mac Jones raised an eyebrow when asked about it.
“You don’t see that every day,” Jones said. “Most guys would jump at that kind of money. But Drake’s here to win. He’s got his heart in New England.”
Patriots fans wasted no time reacting on social media. One post read:
“This is why Drake is our guy. Loyalty like this is priceless.”
At a local Foxborough sports bar, fans watching the announcement on TV burst into chants of, “PATS NATION! RISE UP!”
When asked if he ever had second thoughts about turning down such a life-changing payday, Maye’s answer was crystal clear.
“Nope. New England is more than a team — it’s family,” Maye said with conviction. “And I’m not leaving my family. I’m here to fight, to win, and to make sure this legacy shines brighter than ever.”
For Patriots Nation, it wasn’t just a contract decision — it was a love letter to the city, the fans, and the legacy of New England Football.
