The New England Patriots selected Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Less than a year later, they are trading Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, according to reports.
Milton being traded isn’t a major surprise. The swap comes shortly after the Patriots signed veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs to a two-year deal in free agency. The 30-year-old is expected to back up Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft who established himself as a starter during his rookie season.
That left Milton as the odd man out. It also made him an intriguing trade candidate, as the 25-year-old flashed in limited action as a rookie and possesses a high-upside combination of elite arm strength and strong athleticism.
Here’s what to know about the Milton trade and why the Patriots ultimately moved on from him ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Joe Milton trade details
Cowboys get: QB Joe Milton, 7th round pick
Patriots get: 5th round pick
The Cowboys are adding Milton to its quarterback room in the hopes of potentially shaping the 25-year-old into a long-term starter. For now, he’ll serve as a backup to Dak Prescott and give Dallas some insurance behind their franchise quarterback.
Prescott’s former backup, Cooper Rush, departed for the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.
Milton didn’t make any starts as a rookie, but he played most of the Patriots’ Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills. He comported himself well in that victory, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also added 16 yards and a score on 10 carries.
Despite Milton’s strong performance, he didn’t have a clear path to a role with the Patriots. Maye was entrenched as the starter, so Milton would only have been able to battle Dobbs for the backup job.
Instead, the Patriots saw an opportunity to sell high on Milton ahead of a weak 2025 NFL draft quarterback class. Milton’s combination of NFL-level success and his overall athletic skill set made him more appealing to teams than many of the mid-round quarterback prospects in this year’s draft.
That’s why New England was able to land a fifth-round pick for him less than a year after choosing him with the draft’s 193rd overall selection.
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