The Patriots were linked to multiple trade rumors this offseason, but they also could be a seller in the market.
Ever since Joe Milton III showcased his talent in Week 18 last season, multiple trade rumors surfaced around the New England quarterback. The Patriots reportedly would entertain trade offers and have an asking price for the 25-year-old. There also might be a desire from the Tennessee product to take his talents outside of Foxboro, Mass.
According to MassLive’s Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian on Wednesday, Milton “would prefer to be on a roster that best gives him a chance to compete for the starting job.” That desire came amid the Patriots receiving “multiple trade inquiries” for the young signal-caller.
Drake Maye is the obvious starter, but the Patriots signed Joshua Dobbs to a two-year, $8 million deal to replace Jacoby Brissett, and it’s expected that Milton and Dobbs would compete for the backup job. While New England would love to have solid QB depth behind Maye, it’s unlikely Milton would want to be the third-string quarterback for a second season in a row.
Head coach Mike Vrabel kept the door open for a possible trade and understood the situation Milton is in. However, it’s likely a trade will happen after the 2025 NFL Draft as teams assess their quarterback rooms to determine if an upgrade is necessary.
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While the idea of having two quarterbacks with big arms in the same room sounds great, it’s possible Milton finds a new home to build his own NFL career.