INDIANAPOLIS — There’s a theory in NFL circles that teams must maximize their spending when they have a quarterback on a rookie contract.

It makes sense because that quarterback — Drake Maye in this case — will eventually eat up a solid portion of the salary cap when he does sign an inevitable contract extension.

The Patriots spent heavily last offseason when Maye was on a rookie deal, but they also had mounds of salary cap space. They might not take the same approach this March, however, despite the fact that Maye is eligible to sign an extension next offseason.

“I think there’s always time to be aggressive, but not reckless,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We certainly understand what premium quarterbacks cost in this league, where they get to and what they should be compensated. So, we’ll do our best to build and continue to build a roster worthy of competing for a championship.”

Maye has a cap hit just under $10 million in 2026. His cap hit is currently set to be $11.7 million in 2027, but that will rise if the team signs him to a contract extension next offseason due to a prorated signing bonus.

“I think we’re going to try to do what’s best,” executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said Tuesday. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to spend because Drake’s on a rookie contract. But we’re going to, again, make decisions both for the short and long term that we see as best moving forward.”

The Patriots can extend cornerback Christian Gonzalez this offseason. Wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas are also eligible for new deals.

At this point, Maye is the only player from the Patriots’ 2024 draft class who will be deserving of a second contract.

The Patriots made Super Bowl LX in Maye’s second season. It will be easier to build around him this offseason before he agrees to a mega extension. From the sounds of things, however, the Patriots will not force it.