Joe Milton III's Time with the Patriots: A Tale of Disrespect and Trade
Joe Milton III, the former backup quarterback for the Patriots, had a tumultuous relationship with the organization, which led to his trade to the Cowboys before the 2025 season. In an interview, Milton revealed his feelings of being disrespected by the Patriots' management, particularly during the 2024 season.
The issue arose when Jacoby Brissett, the veteran quarterback, remained ahead of Milton on the depth chart even after Drake Maye took over as the starter. Milton believed that if Brissett was the starter and Maye was the backup, he should have been the emergency quarterback. This situation created tension and a sense of disrespect, as Milton felt his role was diminished.
The Patriots drafted Milton in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, choosing him after Maye was selected with the third pick. Milton and Brissett competed for the starting job, with Brissett starting the first five games. However, Maye took over in Week 6, and the Patriots' success continued, eventually reaching the Super Bowl.
Milton's frustration grew as he only appeared in one game that year, starting a win over the Bills in Week 17, which ironically cost New England the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He described a practice scene where he threw a deep ball, and despite its success, the coaches and executives just shook their heads, indicating their lack of support.
The Patriots' new coach, Mike Vrabel, traded Milton to the Cowboys in April, citing his demeanor as a factor. NFL insider Greg Bedard reported that Milton was not well-regarded, and another source suggested that Milton wanted out if he couldn't challenge for the starting quarterback position. Milton's trade to a team with an established quarterback, Dak Prescott, further diminished his playing time, as he only played in four games with no starts and attempted just 24 passes.
This story highlights the challenges of navigating organizational dynamics in professional sports, where personal feelings of disrespect can lead to significant career shifts.
