Joe Milton Cowboys trade: NFL insider reveals five teams who pursued trade for Patriots QB

The Cowboys landed Joe Milton from the Patriots via trade on Thursday, sending a fifth-round pick to New England for the quarterback. However, Dallas was far from the only team interested in the second-year signal-caller’s services.

There were at least five teams interested in trading for Milton — the Raiders, Eagles, Giants, Steelers and of course, the Cowboys — according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Additionally, the Patriots could’ve received more than a fifth-round pick for Milton, but they opted to send him where he wanted out of respect for him, Schultz added.

Milton, who’s headed into Year 2 in the NFL, was a hot commodity, it seems. He thought he was going to be the backup to fellow second-year man Drake Maye with the Patriots, but instead he’ll head to Dallas to backup a veteran in Dak Prescott.

The rumors have been swirling since New England signed fellow former Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs to a two-year deal earlier this offseason. That’s when the strong-armed Milton has become a coveted trade option for NFL teams seeking a talented backup quarterback with serious upside. The Cowboys bit.

If Schultz is to be taken at his word, it makes sense why the other four teams would be interested in Milton. They all have their own quarterback needs, whether it be looking for a signal-caller of the future, or simply a talented backup. In the end, Dallas won out. Now, Milton will have a face to grow.

Moreover, the former Michigan and Tennessee quarterback was drafted by the Patriots with the 193rd-overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He shined when he replaced Maye in last season’s finale. Milton completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills, who were resting many of their starters before the NFL Playoffs.

Previously, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport didn’t see a trade happening any time soon regarding Milton, but that’s how quickly things can change in the NFL.

“I have not heard any traction on a Joe Milton trade. I haven’t. I’ve asked plenty, I have not heard any traction,” Rapoport said on Tuesday’s The Pat McAfee Show. “I will think about this like I always think about quarterbacks — yes, could the Patriots get value for Joe Milton? They really could. Like, they really could. He is cheap, he is promising, when he played, he looked good.

“Here’s the problem: he may have to play for the Patriots. I have no idea what’s going to happen with Drake Maye, God forbid he gets injured or something, which would be terrible but sometimes does happen. He might have to play,” Rapoport added. “So, what would it be worth it to the Patriots to trade him for where you say, ‘we have to deal him, we’re getting this, and we’re not going to worry about our backup quarterback.’”

Now, Joe Milton will take his talents to Dallas, where Cowboys fans will hope he grows into a potential star for the organization in the future. Dak Prescott is the present, but nothing is guaranteed moving forward, for sure. 

— On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this article.