The Patriots are trading quarterback Joe Milton to the Cowboys, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Dallas will send one of its fifth-round compensatory picks in April’s draft to New England in exchange for Milton and a seventh-rounder, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. The Patriots received the 171st overall pick and the Cowboys now have the 217th overall pick, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Milton was a sixth-round pick in 2024 who spent his rookie year as the Patriots’ QB3 behind No. 3 pick Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. The 6-foot-5, 246-pound Milton brings a rare set of physical tools, including an especially powerful arm. He impressed in his lone appearance last season, completing 22 of his 29 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and a 111.4 passer rating in Week 18 against the Bills.
That performance helped to generate some trade buzz surrounding Milton, which picked up after the Patriots signed Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs arrived in New England to take over Brissett’s role, keeping Milton third on the depth chart with little potential for playing time. Milton was not seen as “an ideal backup” for Maye, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. The team even told Dobbs that they were looking to trade Milton in order to build their quarterback room around Maye and prioritize his development, per Breer.
Milton also wanted out of New England, seeing himself as a future starter and knowing he would have a better chance at seeing the field elsewhere, both in the short- and long-term. The Patriots granted permission for Milton to seek a trade, per Schultz, and the Cowboys “showed the most interest from the start.” The two teams had been negotiating for a few weeks before talks accelerated at league meetings in Florida, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
A number of other teams expressed interest in trading for Milton, according to Schultz, including the Raiders, Eagles, Giants, and Steelers. The Patriots had at least one better offer on the table, but worked with Milton to send him to his preferred landing spot in Dallas.
“My family grew up a Cowboys fan,” said Milton (via Schultz). “My mom always had a Cowboys shirt on. She always talked about them. Living in Texas has been a longtime dream of mine. And now I’m with them. I’m ready to work.”
Milton will arrive in Dallas as the presumptive backup to Dak Prescott. The Cowboys explored an extension with 2024 backup Trey Lance after Prescott went down last season, per Archer, but the former No. 3 pick remains a free agent. Dallas also had interest in Brissett and Drew Lock in free agency, according to Archer.
Milton has three years and $3.2MM remaining on his contract, per OverTheCap, while Brissett’s shorter, two-year deal with the Cardinals is worth three times as much. With Prescott still commanding the highest salary in the NFL, the Cowboys opted to trade for a young, cost-controlled with developmental upside over the next three years.
This is a bizarre trade.
Milton was going to be their 3rd string QB and he’s about to turn 26. He has 6 years of college tape saying he can throw the ball a million yards but can’t hit a 7 yard slant. His game against Buffalo last season means about nothing, 3rd stringers trying to hurt their division rival by ruining their 1st overall pick.
They will likely get more value out of whoever they take with the pick they got back than they would have gotten from Joe, time will tell
Wouldnt say game against the bills means nothing.
They’re still guys on the 53 man roster for a reason.
Least shows he can play against backups and probably function as a high end QB2
Now can he be a QB1. I don’t like the Dallas fit cause they didn’t really do anything with Lance last couple years
Would have liked to see him go to Cleveland and work with Stefanski or head out to LA and be the heir to Stafford under McVay
I love Joe, I truly hope he figures it all out and does become a QB1. I just think his accuracy and decision making in the pocket will hold him back but I’d love to be wrong. Just don’t think NE lost this trade, but there’s no way to know until we see who they get and what they do with them
It was pretty meaningless in that it was not against starting level competition. Several guys light it up versus second and third tier players in pre-season and then fall flat on the face in regular season play. It is not to say Milton is junk but not likely he see much playing time in Dallas. So that makes it why trade.
I was told yesterday he was a cant miss phenom.
– but stupidity aside, I don’t hate this. Its probably more than I would’ve given, but not egregiously so.
You were told yesterday that he’d possibly fetch a 4th while you said a 6th. The result was in the middle between the two of you now youre inserting it in a unrelated convo so you can pat yourself on the back.
Strange behavior
No – I was told he was cant miss phenom. I can help you find it if you need it.
And it wasn’t even you – but you seem to be inserting yourself….strange behavior.
You can make a comment appear out of thin air rather than the one that didn’t say any of that, you clownish tool?
You cant find that because you were never told that. You were told that he was a highly ranked prospect coming into and during college. I had the unfortunate opportunity to read that thread yesterday.
Also Im directly replying to a comment you posted, thats not strange. What is strange is showing up to a random convo and immediately bringing up how you won an internet argument just so you can pat yourself on the back, then acting confused as to why someone might say something about it lol
Yes, strange behavior jumping in a thread that you were not involved in.
The term was used – specifically. I hate to call out your read comprehension, but, read it again.
Begamin, Im not sure what your role is here…but your input is welcome. I cherish it. Thank you for jumping to add nothing.
You brought up a prior thread to an unrelated one and youre taken aback as to why someone would reply to you about it? Really?
Youre really strange. Cya
It was actually relevant though – just look at that price!
Might I add – you are not required to participate if you dont like me?
You don’t have to chase every ball. You are not required to have opinions on everything.
You can choose to ignore or mute.
I would really miss your generic input though. Who will add nothing to the conversation if not gems like this?
Take your own advice. I’ve yet to see an insightful comment from you.
Nothing but mean girl behavior and lame insults about players.
Yeah, but you are fun!
How can you own a thread on a public board? Silly ass comment.
Thank you. Somebody who actually read what I said.
Never said any of the things he’s claiming I said. I made a solid, rational argument as to why people know who this kid is, and he responded with overcompensating nonsense and insults.
Like he’s been doing since.
His overcompensation is really weak.
Hey notimportant!
Glad to see you again! You went silent yesterday and avoided questions.
I can’t believe a cant miss phenom went at such a discounted price!
Strange huh?
Cheers!
I don’t respond to lame overcompensation by casuals who can’t actually respond to what somebody says.
I also have two jobs. Clown.
Ive missed you buddy.
Why did you jump in yesterday?
Well legend has it he can throw a 90 yard pass. You mean, that’s not good enough (LOL)
You literally weren’t told that, you absolute clown.
I was actually – by you!
I re-read the thread. He did not and you are definitely trolling bro.
Read it again.
Further, I never mentioned a 6 anywhere. Not sure why that appeared. (begamin)
I am trolling notimportant for sure. Im not denying that at all.
But Im also not wrong either. Its there.
You’re trolling me on the internet because that’s the only place you’re brave, you lame.
Just tell him the Bills will never win the big one in his lifetime and move on already
Super clever George!
I am certain you have a large wager on that bc its so sure.
I enjoyed it
*pats George on the head*
Good work buddy.
“I was told yesterday he was a cant miss phenom.”
Yep. People on this very board have been saying he’s worth a 2nd or 3rd round pick. It’s crazy.
I hear what you’re saying, but Milton actually just turned 25 in March just so you know. I think he’s a solid long term backup a lot like his Tenn. teammate Hendon Hooker. He’ll be the type to receive spot starts over the years and become a fan favorite
Hooker’s on a team that signed Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement last year because they didn’t trust Hooker to be the backup for the playoffs.
“They will likely get more value out of whoever they take with the pick they got back than they would have gotten from Joe”
That’s a bold proclamation for a round in which guys often last 1 year or less.
He’s a weird insurance policy for Dak if he goes down again. He needs as much reps and preseason play as possible to be ready as QB2 potentially. But yes bizarre move for sure.
Yes, the Patriots should have gotten more out of this trade. Milton has three years left of extremely cheap salaries. When even the most mid backup QB makes $4 mil a year, that is extremely valuable. On top of that Milton still has a ceiling unlike those other backups. The Pats should have gotten a lot more out of this trade, especially since they used a mid 6th rounder on him last year. This trade gives them a fifth at the back of the round (only about 20 slots ahead of where they picked Milton) and gave up a 7th. So this trade essentially ends up being a wash for them. Very disappointing.
He has a high ceiling, but he has a low floor too. I don’t think I’d want him being my starter if my starter went down.
But josh dobbs??
Exactly Milton has far more upside than Dobbs
Upside is one thing and probability is another. If you need someone to actually start for a couple of games, Dobbs is a much better bet. He’s also a veteran presence for Maye. Meanwhile, Milton has upside, but he reminds me much more of some QBs who’ve ended up converting to tight end in recent years (Logan Thomas, Felipe Franks, Tyree Jackson) than he does of any actual successful quarterbacks.
Im not sure they were ever getting more though.
If they had a better offer – they would have taken it.
The Bears got a 6th for Justin Fields who went in the 1st round.
Joe Milton played one game against backups and was a 6th round pick and you expect to get what for him?
Bears got a 6th for Fields which would turn into a 4th if he played in at least half of last year’s games. He also had one year left on his contract at a much higher price. In addition, the Bears drove down his market by announcing his availability. They were so desperate to move Fields for absolutely no reason.
bhd- I think you’re making assumptions about why I find this to be a bizarre trade and none of them have to do with either team’s compensation.
I feel like if you believe you have a team capable of winning a SB, you might want a veteran as your backup and not a development guy.
And despite all the noise here, Im not even necessarily anti-Milton. Ive said repeatedly that the expectations need to be realistic and the compensation needs to match.
The environment needs to be right too. This might have been a better trade for Cleveland.
If Dallas carries him as a no. 2. It is bold imo. I want my backup to have a reasonable chance to win a game or two – not a development guy.
They should’ve brought back Cowboy legend Gucci DiNucci to be QB2.
Tremendous trade by the Cowboys…
A 5th for Milton and a 7th?!?!?
JJ finally got over on another GM…
6’5 250👀👀…and a strong accurate arm…(check Tennessee highlights) and can run?!?!
Love the Trade…
Trey Lance pt 2. Calm down
Good luck to your season if this guys starting games or even playing in them really
I don’t know if I would describe Milton as accurate.
I can only go by what I’ve seen on him soo far…
if you need a quarterback to throw it 80 yards, Joe Milton will throw it 80 yards. If you need a quarterback to throw it five yards, Milton will throw it 80 yards.
When Jerry Jones says ‘WE’RE ALL IN!’
This is what he’s talking about. lol
Milton taking Dem Boyz to the super bowl
It’s just nonsensical to go from being a backup to being a backup
They actually did it lmao
madlads
If the Pats are lucky maybe they land a QB3 that can become a solid QB 2 with that pick.
Or just draft BPA with that pick. Whats the point of trading your QB3 that could be a solid QB2 for a chance at a QB3 that could be a solid QB2? Or were you being sarcastic lol
Totally Sarcastic.
Seems redundant and that’s if they are lucky with that pick working out
Seems like they should have just kept him. If Drake ever went down and Milton played decent he would have even better trade value or just keep him.
Ah, figured but its hard to tell on here. And idk, i think Milton really wanted out and thats not something you like to have in a locker-room and they ended up turning a 6th round pick into a 5th. I think Vrabel having Dobbs as a vet to help Maye is better than Milton and fans thinking he should start after a bad Maye day
They had to replace the costly-overhyped-never-gonna-pan-out qb spot since Trey Lance is gone.
Joe Milton is not costly.
I would disagree. Teams don’t normally throw around fifth rounders for nothing this time of year.
5th rounder
I wouldnt have sent him for that. Better to have him around IMO
Good for Milton
It’s like jerry is getting lance again, but in a crappy qb class a 5th round isn’t a big deal.
Probably league sanctioned. A steal for Dallas.
TN Vols fan. I like joe, I wish he would have been taught or learned (not sure if it was him or coaching) how to put some touch on the ball, which I think would help his accuracy. Strong arm obviously, throws it 95mph, but unfortunately it doesn’t matter if your 65 yrds down field or RB on a screen play (and usually at their feet). he wasnt called overthrow Joe for nothing. Hopefully he will get better and at least be a good QB in the NFL.
How does this help him? He had a better chance at starting with the Pats
I don’t think was done to make Joe Milton happy. The Pats obviously view him as a useless piece. Maybe they thought since he had a good game against backups someone would be dumb and give them a sweet draft pick for him (I’m thinking of the 1998 Rob Johnson heist). But the sweet draft pick never materialized so they dumped him for what they could get.
Jerry Jones wins the off-season again! Nothing the man can’t do!
Hope his owner noticed! GM Jerry deserves a raise!
So the Patriots trade the 2024 #193 pick for a 2025 #174 pick but also give the Cowboys a 2025 7th (either #220 or #238). So basically a push. Big whoop.
They must have hired a coach who was with the Patriots last year and told Jerry “He’s a cant miss prospect.” lol
Literally nobody said that. Nobody.
I mean I was hoping they’d draft someone like Brady Cook with one of their 5ths, so this isn’t terrible. They drop 46 picks late in the draft for a project.
Jury heard Philly was in on him and upped his offer despite the fact Philly was never going to give up anything of value for their QB3.
Only the patriots would make a boneheaded move like this instead of getting the best package they can considering they need just about everything (QB,CB) they really are a clown show now
I agree that they are a clown show, but not because they traded their 3rd string QB for a #5. This trade will have minimal impact for both teams.