The recent trade that sent second-year quarterback Joe Milton III from the New England Patriots to the Dallas Cowboys marked a disappointing return on investment for New England.
After Dallas acquired the promising young player in a late-round pick swap, reports surfaced suggesting there may have been tension between Milton and Patriots starter Drake Maye.
Joe Milton III Traded to the Dallas Cowboys
On April 3, 2025, it was reported that the Patriots were trading their backup quarterback to the Cowboys. Dallas received Milton and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a compensatory fifth-round pick.
The selections are just 46 picks apart, making the trade seem relatively minor on paper. Milton, a sixth-round selection in 2024, raised eyebrows with a standout Week 18 debut against the Buffalo Bills. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 10 times for 16 yards, picking up four first downs and another score.
While it was only a brief look at what Milton could do in the NFL, it was enough to attract trade interest from multiple teams, according to Steve Palazzolo. Milton’s athleticism and rocket arm were well known before the 2024 NFL Draft, but his performance against Buffalo showed he could deliver in a real game.
Though Milton was never a threat to replace Maye as the starter, the Patriots likely could have expected a stronger return. Any quarterback who flashes potential in the NFL — especially one who’s only 25 — is usually worth more than a late-round pick swap.
Trade May Have Stemmed From Friction Between Milton and Drake Maye
So why would New England move on from a promising young quarterback for so little? According to Ben Volin, internal tensions may have influenced the decision.
“Why not hold on to Milton through training camp and let him showcase his talents in preseason games? Or next preseason?” Volin wrote. “The obvious answer is to placate Maye, their young franchise quarterback.”
Volin added that during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, a league source told him Maye and his family weren’t happy when the team drafted Milton.
“Indeed, a league source said last month at the NFL Combine that Maye’s family was not thrilled when Milton was drafted. Maye also didn’t look too pleased about giving up the Week 18 game to Milton, leaving the locker room without speaking to reporters and then skipping locker room cleanout day.”
Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is clearly the future in New England. And while the front office’s desire for depth is understandable, it seems Maye wasn’t on board. Meanwhile, Milton could find chances to prove himself in Dallas, especially given Dak Prescott’s injury history.
Time will tell whether the Patriots gave away a rising star for too little.