Backup quarterback has become a complicated matter for the New England Patriots after they reportedly agreed with Joshua Dobbs on a two-year, $8 million deal with $3.8 million guaranteed.
And they might resolve the issue by trading away a member of their quartback room.
The Patriots most certainly won’t be parting ways with Drake Maye, the presumed starting signal-caller for years to come, or Dobbs since he just got to New England. That leaves Joe Milton III as the possible odd-man out.
“The Patriots have had discussions on trading QB Joe Milton III and would like to trade him to the right situation to continue his development in the NFL — should a deal get done,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on the X platform Monday night.
The Patriots having trade talks about Milton isn’t a complete surprise. The Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard reported last month that the Patriots “toying with the idea of making Joe Milton available.”
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It still seems like they are having that internal battle when it comes to Milton, who the Patriots drafted in the sixth round last year. Milton made one appearance as a rookie, which came in the regular-season finale against the backups of the Buffalo Bills. Regardless, the 6-foot-5, 246-pound gunslinger impressed by completing 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score.
The performance seemingly made Milton’s stock rise across the league and draw interest. While the Patriots added Dobbs, they could keep him and Milton on the roster since Milton is making peanuts — his base salary is not even $1 million.
But perhaps the Patriots see this as a chance to sell high on Milton and cash in while they have this opportunity.