Report: Patriots trading QB Joe Milton to Cowboys for fifth-round pick

The Dallas Cowboys are making a bit of a splash on the trade market. They’ve acquired quarterback Joe Milton from the New England Patriots to be their new backup to Dak Prescott, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“Trade: New England is sending QB Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, sources tell ESPN,” Schefter posted on X. “With Cooper Rush going to Baltimore, Dallas now has a new backup for Dak Prescott.”

Schefter also noted the Patriots will be sending a 7th-round pick to the Cowboys. In exchange, Dallas’ compensatory 5th-round pick will be heading to New England.

Milton is headed into Year 2 in the NFL. He’s thought he was going to be the backup to fellow second-year man Drake Maye, but instead, he’ll head to Dallas to back up the aforementioned veteran in 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 became a coveted trade option for NFL teams seeking a talented backup quarterback with serious upside. The Cowboys bit.

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.

Previously, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport didn’t see a trade happening any time soon regarding Milton. 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.