NFL Trade Rumors: New Update On Patriots QB Joe Milton III

The Patriots should be active buyers as they try to improve their roster, but New England also might do some selling this NFL offseason.

There have been rumblings about a potential Joe Milton III trade ever since the big-armed quarterback shined in the Patriots’ 2024 season finale. Milton’s rare skill set and extremely team-friendly contract should make him an intriguing target for teams with poor quarterback situations.

While a Milton trade hasn’t seemed imminent for most of the winter, the chatter soon could grow louder.

“Per sources, there is growing sentiment that the Patriots are entertaining trade offers for Milton, their intriguing backup quarterback,” The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin wrote in a column published Wednesday. “In an offseason light on free agent quarterbacks and top draft prospects, Milton, the Patriots’ sixth-round pick last year, is basically a lottery ticket.”

Volin added: “The Patriots probably would like to move Milton this offseason, in part to give (Drake) Maye some breathing room and remove any doubt that the franchise believes in him. New Patriots veteran backup Josh Dobbs bolsters the depth chart and won’t be threatening Maye’s job. And Milton likely would welcome a trade to a team that gives him a better chance to win a starting job, or at least get on the field.”

As for what New England could receive in a potential Milton trade, a recent report indicated the Patriots attached a third-round pick asking price on the Tennessee product.

Is it imperative that the Patriots trade Milton this spring/summer? No. But as teams inevitably become more desperate for QB help, don’t be surprised if New England receives an offer it can’t refuse.