The New England Patriots’ quarterback room got a little quieter this month—and that wasn’t by accident. Joe Milton III is off to Dallas, and the timing says just as much as the trade itself.
New England dealt Milton and a seventh-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder. On the surface, it looks like a depth reshuffle. Milton was QB3, and the team brought in veteran Joshua Dobbs this offseason to fill that exact role. But the move came quickly and without hesitation, just as the offseason program was ramping up. That part mattered.
Milton made it known he wanted a real opportunity to compete for a starting job. That wasn’t going to happen in Foxborough. Drake Maye is the franchise quarterback. Dobbs was brought in to back him up. Milton, at 25 years old, didn’t want to sit and wait. Now, he won’t have to... at least not in New England.
Mike Vrabel clarifies why Milton’s time in New England ended early
Vrabel addressed the media for his first pre-draft press conference:
“We felt like his reps were going to be decreased as we worked through the offseason,” Vrabel said. “We felt like, just like every other decision, we were going to do what’s best for the team, and that’s the decision we ultimately made. I’m excited to move forward with Drake (Maye) and Josh (Dobbs).”
Vrabel’s words confirm what had already been obvious: the Patriots aren’t interested in a quarterback logjam. They’re not trying to create a fake competition. They’re trying to build a roster around Maye, and that means keeping the focus on development—not distractions. Milton was the odd man out.
Kudos to the kid. He looked sharp in his lone start last year, putting up 241 passing yards and two total touchdowns in a win over the Buffalo Bills’ backups.
That tape clearly earned him attention from several teams. Reports actually suggested the Patriots had better offers from other organizations but chose to send Milton where he wanted to go. Dallas needed a backup for Dak Prescott after Cooper Rush left in free agency, and Milton now enters a room with more opportunity—at least in theory.
It’s also worth noting the timing. The Patriots’ voluntary offseason program began shortly after the deal. Vrabel has been clear since arriving: the players in the building need to be fully aligned with the team’s mission. There wasn’t much point in keeping a third quarterback who didn’t have a real future here, especially one who saw himself as a starter.
The decision was about more than just reps. It was about setting the tone. There’s no doubt about who’s in charge of the offense. Maye is the guy. Dobbs is the veteran support. That’s the plan, and it didn’t include a prolonged experiment with a third quarterback looking over their shoulder.