Patriots' Drake Maye Breaks Silence After Joe Milton Trade

"I texted Joe. Me and Joe came in together. We learned the offense together. We were competing every day to out-throw each other at practice. So it was cool for him to get a chance to go and be a back-up."

Maye had an incredible 2024 season considering the circumstances that he found himself in. When Milton got a chance to start at the end of the year against the Buffalo Bills, he also made his mark. 

Maye commented on Milton's Bills game, and the potential he flashed in that late-season Patriots win. "And I think you saw in the Bills game his potential."

With where the Patriots were at as a franchise, keeping Milton didn't make a lot of sense. His value, even though the return was lower than some expected, was worth trading. The Patriots have a franchise quarterback in Maye, and didn't have a path for Milton to get an opportunity.

While Milton now sits behind Dak Prescott in Dallas, the Cowboys quarterback has suffered injuries in recent years. Prescott also could be approaching the end of his time in Dallas, and Milton's three years of control make him a candidate to get a chance to start for the Cowboys.

There was some reporting on the Milton trade that painted a rocky picture, but Maye doesn't view it that way. He looks at the Patriots trade of Milton as a great opportunity for Milton, and with their connection, he is rooting for him in Dallas.

"So [I'm] pulling for Joe. Probably play him again, or I'll see him down the road."

The Patriots made their decision to move on from Milton, sending him and the 217th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to Dallas for the 171st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Maye and Milton were both 2024 draft picks of the Patriots, but with Maye shining in his rookie year, Milton didn't have a role in the offense. Maye is wishing Milton well in Dallas, and looks forward to playing against him in the future.