In a surprising move on April 3, 2025, the New England Patriots traded quarterback Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys, reshaping the quarterback rooms for both franchises as the NFL Draft approaches. The trade, reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, sends Milton and a seventh-round pick to Dallas in exchange for a fifth-round pick, giving the Patriots a slight boost in draft capital while providing the Cowboys with a high-upside backup for Dak Prescott. Let’s break down the details of the trade, what it means for both teams, and how Milton’s journey has led him to this point.
The Trade Details: A Win-Win Deal?
The full trade package is straightforward: the Patriots send Milton, a 2024 sixth-round pick, along with a seventh-round selection to the Cowboys, receiving a fifth-round compensatory pick in return. For New England, this move effectively upgrades their draft position, turning a late-round pick and a backup quarterback into a more valuable mid-round selection. Some fans and analysts, however, feel the Patriots could have gotten more for Milton, given the buzz he generated after his lone NFL start. On X, posts reflected mixed sentiments, with some users arguing that Milton’s hype might have warranted a higher return, while others saw the trade as a pragmatic move for a player unlikely to see the field in New England.
For the Cowboys, the trade addresses a pressing need. After losing backup quarterback Cooper Rush to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency earlier this offseason, Dallas was left with a thin quarterback depth chart behind starter Dak Prescott. Prescott, who missed the second half of the 2024 season due to hamstring surgery, is expected to be ready for 2025, but his injury history—missing 14 games over the past three seasons—underscored the need for a reliable backup. Milton, with his impressive physical tools, steps into the QB2 role, joining veteran Will Grier in the Cowboys’ quarterback room. The trade also gives Dallas a young player to develop without spending high draft capital, as they only parted with a fifth-round pick.
Joe Milton’s Journey: From Tennessee to the NFL Spotlight
Joe Milton III, a 25-year-old quarterback out of Tennessee, was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. Known for his cannon of an arm and imposing 6’5”, 246-pound frame, Milton had been a polarizing prospect. His college career began at Michigan, where he struggled to secure the starting job, before transferring to Tennessee. At Tennessee, he waited behind Hendon Hooker before taking over as the starter in 2023, throwing for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 64.7% of his passes. His raw talent was undeniable, but concerns about his ability to read defenses and inconsistent accuracy led to his late-round draft status.
Milton’s time in New England was brief but memorable. He spent most of his rookie season as the No. 3 quarterback behind Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett, seeing limited action until the Patriots’ season finale against the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. In that game, Milton stepped in during the first quarter and delivered a standout performance, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, while adding 16 yards and another score on the ground. The Patriots won 23-16, and Milton’s dual-threat ability turned heads across the league. Despite the impressive showing, the game came with a caveat: the Bills, already playoff-bound, played mostly backups, tempering the significance of Milton’s stats.
Why the Patriots Made the Move
For the Patriots, trading Milton was a logical step in their roster-building strategy. With Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft, firmly entrenched as the franchise quarterback, Milton’s path to playing time was blocked. Maye earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie, signaling that the Patriots have their long-term answer under center. Additionally, New England signed veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs to a two-year, $8 million deal in free agency, positioning him as Maye’s primary backup. Dobbs, known for his preparation and ability to support a young starter, made Milton expendable.
The Patriots’ decision to trade Milton also reflects a broader philosophy under new head coach Mike Vrabel, who took over in 2025. Vrabel, speaking at the NFL meetings in Palm Springs earlier this week, praised Milton’s work ethic and readiness when called upon but didn’t rule out a trade. “Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to be the starter, and that’s great to have that attitude,” Vrabel said. By moving Milton, the Patriots avoid any potential quarterback controversy and give Maye “breathing room,” as noted by The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. The fifth-round pick they received in return provides additional draft capital to address other needs, such as a left tackle or a go-to receiver for Maye, areas where the team struggled in 2024.
Some reports suggested the Patriots initially sought a third-round pick for Milton, a price that raised eyebrows given his limited NFL experience. Evaluators around the league were skeptical of his trade value, with one NFC scout telling Yahoo Sports, “He went in the sixth for a reason… Two picks in the Senior Bowl game, not the best at reading defenses.” The final trade return—a fifth-round pick—seems more in line with Milton’s perceived value, though it’s clear the Patriots capitalized on the interest he generated after his Week 18 performance.
What Milton Brings to the Cowboys
For the Dallas Cowboys, acquiring Joe Milton is a low-risk, high-reward move. Milton’s physical traits—his size, arm strength, and mobility—make him an intriguing developmental prospect. His Week 18 performance showcased his potential, even if it came against a depleted Bills squad. In Dallas, Milton will serve as the backup to Dak Prescott, who remains the unquestioned starter but has a history of injuries that makes a capable QB2 essential. Prescott, now 32, is coming off a season where he played only eight games, and the Cowboys struggled without him, finishing 2024 with a disappointing record.
The Cowboys’ quarterback room now consists of Prescott, Milton, and Will Grier, who hasn’t taken an NFL snap since 2019. Some speculated that Dallas might re-sign Trey Lance, a former third overall pick they acquired in a trade last year, but Lance remains a free agent. Others, like Sports Illustrated’s Coby Skillern, argued that re-signing Lance would have been a better move than trading for Milton, citing Lance’s familiarity with the team and higher upside. However, the Cowboys clearly saw enough in Milton to pull the trigger, likely valuing his cost-controlled rookie contract—cap hits of less than $1.25 million over the next three years—and his raw potential.
Milton’s fit in Dallas raises some questions. With Prescott locked in as the starter, Milton’s opportunities to play will likely be limited unless Prescott suffers another injury. Some reports, including comments from Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, indicated that the Patriots wanted to trade Milton to a team where he could compete for a starting role or at least see the field. Dallas doesn’t seem to fit that mold, as noted by some X users who found the move “strange” given Milton’s stated goal of becoming a starter. Still, learning behind a veteran like Prescott and working under a new coaching staff—led by Brian Schottenheimer in his debut season as head coach—could help Milton refine his skills and address the weaknesses in his game, such as reading defenses and improving his accuracy.
The Bigger Picture: A Trade That Makes Sense
This trade, while not a blockbuster, reflects the strategic priorities of both teams. For the Patriots, it’s about maximizing value for a player who doesn’t fit into their long-term plans while giving Drake Maye the spotlight as their franchise quarterback. The fifth-round pick they acquired could be used to bolster their roster, particularly on the offensive side, where they’ve struggled in recent years. New England’s 2024 season saw them rank among the league’s worst in offensive metrics, with Maye often scrambling behind a porous offensive line. Adding talent around him remains a priority, and this trade gives them another asset to do so.
For the Cowboys, the trade is a calculated gamble on a player with immense physical gifts. Milton may not be ready to start in the NFL, but as a backup, he provides insurance for Prescott and a potential long-term project for the coaching staff to develop. Dallas has a history of taking chances on quarterbacks with upside—see their trade for Trey Lance last year—and Milton fits that mold. The Cowboys can now head into the 2025 NFL Draft with one less need to address, potentially focusing on other areas like their offensive line or secondary.
What’s Next for Joe Milton?
As Milton heads to Dallas, the spotlight will be on how he adapts to his new role. Training camp and the preseason will be crucial for him to prove he can be a reliable backup and perhaps even push for more playing time down the road. His arm strength and athleticism are undeniable, but the NFL is littered with quarterbacks who had all the tools but couldn’t put it together. Milton’s ability to improve his decision-making and consistency will determine whether he’s just a backup or a future starter.
For now, though, this trade gives Milton a fresh start and the Cowboys a new piece to work with. Meanwhile, the Patriots can move forward with clarity at the quarterback position, focusing on building around Drake Maye. In a league where quarterback depth is always at a premium, this deal might just be the kind of under-the-radar move that pays dividends for both teams in the years to come.
