New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton is reportedly drawing trade interest ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. A sixth-round pick in 2024, Milton spent most of his rookie season on the bench before breaking out in the regular season finale. Playing all but the first drive, the quarterback completed 22 of his 29 attempts for 241 yards and one touchdown while adding another 16 yards and a score on the ground.
This effort came against Buffalo’s backups in a meaningless contest, but Joe Milton did enough to draw some trade interest. Per MassLive’s Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian, “the Patriots have received multiple trade inquiries” and “Milton would prefer to be on a roster that best gives him a chance to compete for the starting job.”
With Drake Maye firmly entrenched atop the depth chart, Joe Milton will need a trade to see the field in 2025. New England won’t part with the cost-controlled backup for anything less than a third-round pick, and these four teams could meet that asking price.
REPORT: Joe Milton Wants A Trade, Patriots Have Suitors
Possible Fits
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have officially admitted the Deshaun Watson trade was a mistake, which means they could pivot to Joe Milton. Watson will miss the season, and it’s safe to assume he won’t regain the starting job when healthy. While Kirk Cousins is the likely pairing, Milton gives the team more long-term upside and hope for the future. If he doesn’t work out, Cleveland could invest a high pick in the more talented 2026 quarterback draft class.
New York Giants
Had the New York Giants held the third-overall pick in 2024, they could’ve had Drake Maye. Now, they must decide if the rapidly falling Shedeur Sanders can be a true franchise quarterback, or if they will survive with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston battling for QB1. The two veterans are better than what New York had last year, but a Joe Milton trade will at least give the team some hope for the future.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr will return for the 2025 season, but it’s safe to say he’s not a part of the long-term plans. The New Orleans Saints are no longer buried in salary cap debt, so they can afford to start looking toward the future. Spencer Rattler had his moments as a rookie, but a Joe Milton trade would give this team more competition for the future. Neither player will become the next Drew Brees, but Milton has the athletic gifts to be a top starter in this league.
Los Angeles Rams
One-time Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford is playing on a year-to-year basis at this point in his career. While the former first-overall pick is still a good quarterback, he isn’t the same dominant force he was at the peak of his career. His physical shortcomings will only become more pronounced with age, which means the Rams must start thinking about the future. Joe Milton isn’t the safest bet in the world, but he can use the 2025 season to show what he can do and potentially earn the starting job whenever Stafford chooses to hang up the cleats.
Main Photo: Brian Fluharty – Imagn Images