As much as many fans might not want it to happen, The Walking Dead's upcoming Maggie and Negan spinoff makes their potential romance more likely. There was a time not that long ago when the idea of Maggie and Negan even coexisting seemed fantastical, much less the idea of some kind of romantic connection forming between the two. After all, back when Negan was the sadistic leader of the Saviors, he personally smashed in the head of Glenn Rhee, Maggie's husband and the father of her son.
Maggie understandably held a grudge over that, and at one point, vowed to get revenge by killing Negan. She went to his prison cell in Alexandria with the intent of doing the deed but ultimately decided against it, feeling that rotting in prison was a more fitting punishment than a quick death. Since Maggie's return to the group during season 10, with Negan now a freed member of the community, their relationship seemed like a powder keg.
Yet, Maggie and Negan ended up spending much of The Walking Dead season 11 working alongside each other, even saving each other from attacks at various points. While the two are still far from friends, and Negan leaving due to feeling like he is still in danger around Maggie, it seems likely that Negan and Maggie's feud would come to an end before Walking Dead's series finale. Now that looks inevitable, thanks to the announcement of Isle of the Dead, a spinoff that sees Negan and Maggie together in New York City. Even beyond reconciliation though, the prospect of the pair spending that much time alone together points to the possibility of romance.
As unthinkable as the idea of a Negan and Maggie romantic relationship might be for Walking Dead devotees, there's a reason the idea has even been discussed by the show's followers in the first place. Actors Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan have undeniable chemistry together onscreen, with a noticeable spark whenever they interact. This has been true both when they're working together or on opposite sides of an issue. Said spark could very easily translate into a romance, as unlikely that might seem now.
The information known so far about Isle of the Dead implies that Negan and Maggie will be basically alone against a walker-infested city that never sleeps, and the two of them spending weeks, if not months, relying on each other for survival is a recipe for something beyond friendship to develop. Even if what ensues doesn't end up being a traditional romantic relationship, Negan's brief coupling with Alpha proves that he's not a man opposed to a "friends with benefits" kind of deal. Maggie may never love Negan like she loved Glenn, but that doesn't mean she might not end up at least physically attracted to Negan, especially if he saves her life, or her son's. The question now is whether The Walking Dead's constant viewers will accept such an event.