Why Patriots traded Joe Milton when they did

Why Patriots traded Joe Milton when they did

The reasons for the Patriots’ surprise trade of their backup quarterback are coming into view.

New England dealt Joe Milton to the Cowboys for a fifth-round pick earlier in April, and while meeting with the media on Tuesday, head coach Mike Vrabel explained why the team did what it did.

The move, according to the new Patriots bench boss, stemmed from the fact that the team believed Milton would get fewer snaps under center during the offseason.

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) reacts after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mᴀss.
Joe Milton III (19) reacts after the Patriots’ preseason loss to the Eagles on Aug. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mᴀss. AP

New England already has what they hope is their next franchise quarterback in Drake Maye under center and signed veteran backup Josh Dobbs at the outset on free agency.

“Well, we felt like his reps were gonna be decreased as we worked through the offseason,” Vrabel said of Milton. “And we felt like just like every other decision, we’re gonna try to do what’s best for the team, and that’s the decision that we ultimately made.

“And so, [we’re] excited to move forward with Drake and Josh.”

Milton, a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft, got in one game for the Pats and completed 22-of-29 pᴀsses for 241 yards and one touchdown.

Vrabel’s comments come a week after MᴀssLive reported that Milton viewed himself as a starter or at least someone who could give Maye legitimate compeтιтion for the QB1 job.

The outlet added that if he was not going to get a real chance, he preferred to be elsewhere.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is interviewed at the NFL football annual meetings Monday, March 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is interviewed at the NFL football annual meetings on March 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. AP

That elsewhere is now in Dallas, where he’ll be behind Dak Prescott, who is entering the first season of the four-year, $240 million contract extension he signed with the Cowboys last fall.

“Anybody that’s played with me or been in that quarterback room knows that all I care about is everybody pushing everybody and getting better,” Prescott told reporters on Friday, “I’ve already worked with Will [Grier] for years, know his mindset.

“I’m excited to add Joe to the room and I know Will is as well.”

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWSTaylor Swift joins Travis Kelce in Nashville on the opening night of his NFL charity event

BREAKING NEWSTaylor Swift joins Travis Kelce in Nashville on the opening night of his NFL charity event

Taylor Swift made a surprise trip down to Nashville to join boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs тιԍнт end Travis Kelce in hosting a meeting of the football minds…

NFL star reveals he would never live in Kansas City in savage attack on the place Travis Kelce calls home

NFL star reveals he would never live in Kansas City in savage attack on the place Travis Kelce calls home

On the latest episode of the podcast he runs with his brother, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown threw some shade on the city of Kansas…

BREAKING NEWSLas Vegas Raiders in mourning as former player dies at age 60

BREAKING NEWSLas Vegas Raiders in mourning as former player dies at age 60

The Las Vegas Raiders are honoring a former player from their days when they took the field in Los Angeles and Oakland, California. The team released a…

Revealed: Tom Brady told the Raiders not to sign Sam Darnold before Geno Smith moved to Las Vegas

Revealed: Tom Brady told the Raiders not to sign Sam Darnold before Geno Smith moved to Las Vegas

Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for a huge 2025 campaign after an offseason of upheavel in Sin City. Maxx Crosby signed a…

Travis Kelce receives special award for ‘extraordinary’ achievement

Travis Kelce receives special award for ‘extraordinary’ achievement

Travis Kelce has been honored by the state of Ohio for his ‘extraordinary commitment, compᴀssion and service’ to charity work in his hometown of Cleveland. The Kansas…

NFL fans set for behind-the-scenes glimpse of Joe Burrow’s home burglary drama as new Netflix trailer drops

NFL fans set for behind-the-scenes glimpse of Joe Burrow’s home burglary drama as new Netflix trailer drops

The burglary of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s $7.5 million Ohio mansion is covered in the upcoming season of QUARTERBACKS, Netflix’s recurring behind-the-scenes documentary from NFL Films….