Last season saw Drake Maye emerge as the New England Patriots’ franchise quarterback after becoming the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Due to a funky process, Maye even earned a Pro Bowl nod after several other quarterbacks turned down the opportunity.
While Maye didn’t quite perform well enough to be labeled one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today, he may have done enough to convince the Patriots that they don’t need another high upside developmental option on the roster.
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New England Patriots ‘toying’ with Joe Milton trade
It wasn’t so surprising to see the New England Patriots select Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was, however a bit surprising to see them double down and select Joe Milton in the sixth round of the same draft.
Of course, several teams have invested a top pick at the QB position and later drafted another failsafe in the same class. The Washington Commanders come to mind with Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins in 2012. So the Patriots’ approach wasn’t anything new. It may even pay some immediate dividends.
According to Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal’s appearance on the Felger and Mazz radio show, the Patriots are now “toying” with the idea of trading Milton this offseason.
Milton didn’t get much of a chance to show what he could do while being buried behind Jacoby Brissett and Maye on the depth chart. He did however get to play the bulk of the Patriots’ Week 18 finale where he led New England to a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills.
The rocket-armed QB performed well in limited action, completing 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score as well. Now, teams could be lining up to trade for the soon-to-be 25-year-old in a year where there aren’t many top QB prospects available.
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