3 teams who should trade for Joe Milton ft. New York Jets

Joe Milton III delivered a statement performance in the New England Patriots season finale against the Buffalo Bills, potentially reshaping his NFL future. The sixth-round pick showcased his capabilities by completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, leading New England to a 23-16 victory on Sunday.

Milton's breakout showing featured a perfect start, connecting on his first 11 passes before his first incompletion. He demonstrated dual-threat ability with both passing and rushing touchdowns, even adding flair with back flips during the game.

His 48-yard touchdown strike to Kayshon Boutte highlighted his arm talent. After rolling right and drawing the Bills' defense, Milton fired across his body to find his receiver standing alone in Buffalo territory. The play showcased both his mobility and what Patriots coaches call his "bazooka arm."

NFL: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (Image Source: Imagn)

The Patriots' backup quarterback holds significant trade value due to his rookie contract. Milton signed a four-year, $4.2 million deal that includes just $183,316 in guarantees. His 2024 base salary sits at $795,000 with a modest cap hit of $840,829.

The New York Jets emerge as a prime destination. After Aaron Rodgers's "disastrous run" as a 40-year-old quarterback in 2024, owner Woody Johnson faces pressure to reset the position. As reported by Fox Sports in November 2024, the Jets need to "hand the baton to a young quarterback with 'franchise' player potential to usher in a new era."

Joe Milton: Teams in desperate need of QB stability

NFL: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (Image Source: Imagn)

The Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation reached a critical point in 2024. Despite owing Deshaun Watson $92 million over the next two seasons, the Browns watched Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston thrive in their offense. Fox Sports reports that the Browns "must move on from Watson to keep their credibility within the locker room."

Joe Milton's affordable contract offers Cleveland a path forward. His rookie deal could help offset Watson's massive cap hit while giving them a talented prospect to develop. Browns GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski need a long-term solution to compete with AFC heavyweights.

Las Vegas presents another logical landing spot. The Raiders watched the Gardner Minshew experiment "fail miserably" in 2024, with Fox Sports noting he "transformed into a turnover machine." In the AFC West, where they face Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix, the Raiders need a quarterback with both arm talent and mobility.

Milton displayed those exact traits against Buffalo. His perfect first-half showing (12/13, 139 yards, 2 TDs) proved he can execute at a high level. Patriots coach Jerod Mayo had planned to start Drake Maye in the finale, but Milton seized his opportunity after Maye's early exit.

That mental toughness, combined with his physical tools, makes him an appealing target for teams seeking quarterback solutions.