NFL insider provides latest on Joe Milton trade rumors, potential value

Joe Milton has only played a single NFL game in his brief professional career, but based on the recent uptick in interest, it’s clear the New England Patriots quarterback is already a wanted man.

One day after the Patriots signed fellow former Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs to a two-year deal to be the backup to second-year starter Drake Maye, the strong-armed Milton has become a coveted trade option for NFL teams seeking a talented backup QB with serious upside.

In fact, Milton — the former Michigan and Tennessee quarterback who was drafted by the Patriots with the 193rd-overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft — 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.

Given that debut, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport simply doesn’t see a trade happening any time soon.

“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.'”

Ian Rapoport: ‘There’s a lot of people that really like’ Joe Milton

Rapoport is suggesting Milton’s value to the Patriots as a third-string quarterback with great upside could be more appealing than whatever another team might be willing to offer them to trade him. Rapoport even suggested a second-round draft pick might not be enough to acquire Milton.

“Maybe the Patriots will be good this year, maybe they’ll be better. And maybe Joe Milton will have to play in a meaningful game. Would it be worth it for like a second-round pick? I don’t know that it would be,” Rapoport said. “Teams hate to trade quarterbacks who might have to play. … I tell you what, I have no idea what’s going to happen with Joe Milton’s career, but there’s a lot of people that really like him.”

Case-in-point, FOX Sports insider Jordan Schultz reported the Patriots “have had discussions” about trading Milton, though are being careful about where they might deal him to not derail his development.

Before arriving in New England, Milton played six seasons of college football at both Michigan and Tennessee, starting the 2023 season for the Volunteers. During that 2023 season, he had a completion percentage of 64.7 percent for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel shared what he thinks NFL teams are going to get in Milton. His performance in his lone start against the Bills in January goes a long way in solidifying his former coach’s statement.

“I think it’s a great story of a young guy that recognized areas that he could grow in, trusted the staff and what we were doing schematically to help him grow. Continues to be a great teammate,” Heupel said. “You look at his relationship with Hendon [Hooker], who he was in an initial quarterback battle — Hendon here today cheering him on. It just speaks to the maturity and the care factor and the trust that we’ve built inside of this, his growth as a person and as a player, can’t wait to see him throw it around here in a minute.”

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report.