Patriots show faith in QB Drake Maye with Cowboys trade

With rising second-year quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, entrenched as the team's starter, the transaction reveals the Patriots' faith in their young quarterback.

Maye had a promising rookie season, ending 2024 by throwing for 2,276 yards on a 66.6 percent completion percentage with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl and finished eighth in Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting despite only starting 12 games.

With Milton headed to the Cowboys, that leaves 2025 free-agent signee Joshua Dobbs as New England's QB2. While Dobbs was a good story for a couple of weeks in 2023, he doesn't have nearly the upside of Milton. While that's bad for the Patriots' depth, it's great for Maye's job stability.

Milton was never in danger of taking over the starting job, but if Maye were to experience a sophomore slump, we wouldn't have put it past local Boston media to want Milton to take snaps. In a Week 18 start last season, Milton was 22-of-29 for 241 yards and one touchdown.

That's no longer a concern. It's much less likely that anyone will argue that Dobbs should take the field in Maye's place.

The Patriots have made multiple moves this offseason — and head coach Mike Vrabel has made several comments — that have left no doubt New England views Maye as a franchise-caliber quarterback.

The front office revamped the offensive line, signing offensive tackle Morgan Moses (three years, $24 million) and center Garrett Bradbury (two years, $9.5 million). It also improved Maye's weapons, adding wide receivers Stefon Diggs (three years, $63.5 million) and Mack Hollins (two years, $8.4 million), and bolstered the defense with several more additions.

In late March, Vrabel, who coached the Titans from 2018-23, discussed why he took the Patriots job after spending the 2024 season as a Browns consultant.

"Excited to build this team around [Maye], and a large part of the reason why I wanted to be here... Just that talent level, to be able to build around him ... is something that I'm excited about," Vrabel said. (h/t NFL.com)

Trading Milton leaves no doubt about how the Patriots view Maye. Milton would have been an excellent insurance policy, but New England believes it doesn't need it.