Morning Sports Update

Patriots have reportedly received ‘multiple trade inquiries’ for quarterback Joe Milton III

Milton, a backup with the Patriots behind Drake Maye, would also reportedly "prefer to be on a roster that best gives him a chance to compete for the starting job."

Joe Milton III Patriots trade rumors
Joe Milton III playing for the Patriots in a win over the Bills during the 2024 regular season finale. Rich Gagnon/Getty Images

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

Joe Milton trade rumors: One of the pleasant surprises for Patriots fans coming out of the 2024 season was the performance of backup quarterback Joe Milton III in the season finale win over the Bills. While New England fans may have been distraught in the moment over the win ironically ruining the team’s chances of having the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Milton’s strong command of the offense (albeit against some of the Bills’ backups) was a promising display.

Flashing forward to the offseason, the Patriots may also have a potentially trade-worthy asset. With Drake Maye ensconced as New England’s starter, Milton could provide another team with a potential quarterback of the future.

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And according to Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian of MassLive, the Patriots front office has “received multiple trade inquiries for young quarterback Joe Milton III.”

Additionally, Daniels and Guregian noted that Milton “would prefer to be on a roster that best gives him a chance to compete for the starting job.”

While it may not be surprising that the Milton, 25, wants to play, this is the one of the clearer indicators of the offseason so far that the Patriots could be shopping the young QB (and that he would prefer a move).

Originally a sixth-round pick a year ago, Milton possesses a ton of natural talent (and has immense potential as an athlete). What he showed against the Bills in Week 18 was that he also appeared to have a capacity to move through passing progressions and show accuracy with touch on his throws, testament to his 75.9-percent completion percentage.

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What the Patriots could get in return for Milton remains to be seen, though with fewer quarterbacks currently projected to go higher in the draft, it could be an ideal time to leverage the former Tennessee QB’s value.

Trivia: The Patriots acquired the pick used to select Joe Milton III in a trade. What player did they trade in order to make that move?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He was sent to the Jaguars.

Scores and schedules:

The Bruins lost to the Capitals 4-3 on Tuesday. Boston will face the Canadiens in Montreal on Thursday.

This evening, the Red Sox play the Orioles in Baltimore at 6:35 p.m.

Tonight, the Heat face the Celtics at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m.

Also tonight, the Boston Fleet host the Ottawa Charge at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Robert Kraft’s press conference: Here’s the full rundown on coverage of the Patriots and Revolution’s owner speaking with reporters on Tuesday:

A prolonged bout: Bruins winger Jeffrey Viel got into a lengthy fight with Dylan McIlrath of the Capitals during Tuesday’s game.

On this day: In 1969, the Bruins opened the playoffs with a 10-0 rout of the Maple Leafs. Phil Esposito scored four goals and added two assists. And while Toronto’s Pat Quinn landed the best hit of the night on Bobby Orr, the momentum was swept aside by a deluge of Boston goals.

Bruins Globe

Daily highlight: Marcelo Mayer’s first Triple-A home run was a no-doubter.

Trivia answer: Mac Jones

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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