Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel comments on why New England traded former Tennessee QB Joe Milton to the Cowboys
After just one season with the New England Patriots, former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton found himself on the move this offseason. Milton, a sixth round pick by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, was traded from the Patriots to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month in a deal that sent a fifth round […]
After just one season with the New England Patriots, former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton found himself on the move this offseason.
Milton, a sixth round pick by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, was traded from the Patriots to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month in a deal that sent a fifth round pick back to New England.
The trade came after Milton, who was a backup last season to starter Drake Maye, started the Patriots' 2024 regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills. Milton led the Patriots to a win against the Bills while passing for 241 yards and accounting for two total touchdowns.
Earlier this week, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who was hired after the 2024 season to replace Jerod Mayo, commented on New England's decision to trade Milton.
“We felt like his reps were going to be decreased as we worked through the offseason,” said Vrabel. “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).”
The feeling around the NFL is that Milton wanted a chance to compete for a bigger role, which wasn't going to be available to him in New England.
The Patriots elected to sign former Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs as their backup earlier this offseason (a player that Vrabel was already familiar with thanks to their time together with the Tennessee Titans in late 2022). That move allowed the Patriots to send Milton to a slightly more desirable situation.
Ultimately, it's a move that everyone seems happy with. Milton will have a better chance to earn playing time in Dallas while playing behind the oft-injured Dak Prescott. The Patriots, meanwhile, can roll with Dobbs as a veteran backup to Maye.
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