This week, new head coach Mike Vrabel joked that the New England Patriots won March with their rash of big free agency moves that included adding defensive tackle Milton Williams, wide Stefon Diggs, and cornerback Carlton Davis.
The Patriots have a chance to also win in April. New England owns the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team has a chance to continue building around quarterback Drake Maye for his second season in the league.
The Patriots could consider trading their other quarterback from the 2024 draft to help Maye.
New England Patriots are receiving calls for their QB
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19), quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7), and quarterback Drake Maye (10) walk onto the field before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19), quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7), and quarterback Drake Maye (10) walk onto the field before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Per Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian of masslive.com, the Patriots have received multiple inquiries for second-year quarterback Joe Milton III.
“According to multiple sources, the Patriots have received multiple trade inquiries for young quarterback Joe Milton III,” Daniels wrote. “It remains to be seen if the Patriots will ultimately deal Milton. However, there does seem to be motivation on the player’s side to be moved.
“A source close to the quarterback said Milton would prefer to be on a roster that best gives him a chance to compete for the starting job.”
Milton turned heads when he went 22-of-29 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. Those were the only stats for the sixth-round pick out of Tennessee.
A trade for Joe Milton III coming after the 2025 draft?
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) hands the ball off to running back Antonio Gibson (4) during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills. at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) hands the ball off to running back Antonio Gibson (4) during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills. at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Daniels and Guregian suggested any trade would likely occur after the draft when teams can fully assess how their quarterback roster looks for the upcoming season. In college, Milton appeared in 43 games and threw for 5,353 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He added 661 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
During the annual league meeting on Monday, Vrabel said he understands why Milton wants a chance to compete for a starting job.
“Yeah, I think Joe’s did everything that they asked him to do last year,” Vravbel said. “Sounds like in conversations that he worked extremely hard, and that’s tough when you’re a quarterback. Everybody wants to play. Everybody wants to be the starter, everybody and that’s great to have that attitude.
“And he was ready for his opportunity there late in the season, which I commend him on, just like I would any player that sat there and went through a long season, a difficult season, and then got the opportunity, went out, won a football game, played well, helped his team win. And then where that leads to, we’ll see as the draft approaches, or where Joe is on April 7 to start our offseason program.”
ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler suggested that the Dallas Cowboys would be a team that has an interest in Milton. He would be an ideal candidate to groom behind Dak Prescott.
However, Milton appears to want a chance for a starting job in 2025. The Cowboys would not be able to offer that.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers.
Mar 31, 2025; Palm Beach, FL, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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