Joe Milton III’s trade to the New England Patriots last week wasn’t shocking. But there was some head scratching from the change.
When the Patriots traded the backup quarterback and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick, they finally moved on from the rumored backup quarterback this offseason.
Because of the publicity around him and the importance of his role, Milton’s return felt light. He was traded by the Patriots three weeks prior to the NFL draft, which also looked confusing.
On Sunday, however, ESPN’s Mike Reiss gave background information on why the Patriots made the trade at that particular moment.
According to a source who was aware of the team’s reasoning, the timing wasn’t coincidental,” Reiss wrote. The squad’s optional program begins on Monday, and Mike Vrabel sees this as a significant milestone in the process of creating the culture of the team and the ideal dynamic that develops among each position group.
After playing in New England’s season finale against the Buffalo Bills, Milton, who was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of last year’s draft out of Tennessee, experienced an increase in his stock. Against Buffalo’s reserves, the 6-foot-5, 246-pound gunslinger completed 22 of 29 throws for 241 yards and one touchdown. Milton ran for a score as well.
Drake Maye’s strong grasp on the position would prevent Milton from starting for New England, and the Patriots finally chose to send Milton away before any potential conflict arose in the quarterback room.
However, it’s reasonable to wonder why the Patriots didn’t keep Milton around for longer. The preseason, when Milton could have made an impression on teams throughout the exhibition games, would have been the ideal moment for the Patriots to trade him if they wanted to maximize his value.
As Vrabel seeks to retool the team, the Patriots took what was available and added a fifth-round pick to their ledger.
