Former 2024 NFL Draft pick Joe Milton is garnering trade interest this upcoming offseason. After his performance against the Bills in the regular season finale, it’s no surprise that he’s receiving interest from multiple teams while he might become the dark horse candidate to become a phenomenal starter. Milton might have a legitimate chance but that won’t happen in New England since rookie Drake Maye had one of the better debut seasons so they’ll be sticking with him for the future. However, the Patriots shouldn’t keep him at a low cost but instead put him on the trade block as leverage to spark the right deal from a team this offseason.
Despite that, if Milton were to be the starter at the beginning of the 2o24 campaign, he might have won the job. Milton began his career with a ferocious arm coming out of the University of Tennessee, recording 241 passing yards and a touchdown while rushing in for a score. Milton should be no stranger to his hype and he should ask for a trade if it comes to New England keeping him since all the momentum is in his stride. Here are five teams that could bring out the best in Milton even as a backup.
NFL RUMORS: #Patriots’ QB Joe Milton III is rumored to be a trade target for several QB-needy teams.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) January 9, 2025
Joe Milton Garnering Trade Interest – Panthers, Saints Among Top Fits
Next Possible Teams
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers will start Bryce Young at the beginning of the 2025 campaign barring any circumstances of him not. However, since Andy Dalton will become a free agent in March, the team should put Young in the best position to have a reliable backup. Milton may want to start and this might be his opportunity to beat out Young for the job if the right time comes.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints will be rebuilding in the offseason but they must have a Plan B if they don’t see Derek Carr as part of their plans. Carr already said he won’t be taking a pay cut and since he’s entering his final year in his contract, they might as well settle for the arm that Milton has. Rookie Spencer Rattler had his chance but if Carr doesn’t produce, they could run Rattler and Milton for the starting job next.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is one of the league’s best quarterbacks but a backup like Josh Johnson won’t get a win for the Baltimore Ravens. Perhaps, Milton could learn behind Jackson for a few years before signing with a team for full-time duties. While Milton won’t make the Ravens a championship team, he could help them remain competitive if Jackson misses time.
Las Vegas Raiders
Earlier midseason, the Las Vegas Raiders were looking to land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward in this upcoming NFL Draft, but falling to the sixth pick might have crushed those chances. While they have quarterback Gardner Minshew, they might put him on the trading block and grab someone newer to start a new regime since firing Antonio Pierce. Milton could be a real possibility for a team that needs a new arm but someone who wouldn’t be a hit to the cap space for the next three years.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback Brock Purdy will be the long-term answer for the 49ers but even if they give him a high-paid contract doesn’t guarantee his safety net for full-time duties. After missing the postseason, Purdy should put on a show when he gets his contract extension. While most could blame wide receivers like Brandon Aiyuk for missing time, it’s on Purdy to adjust and help the 49ers be a serious contender. Milton won’t start but it’s a new system to learn from for the time being.
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