New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III made the most of his opportunity in Week 18. After Drake Maye played one series, Milton entered the game and put on a show. The rookie completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. Milton also rushed for one touchdown in the Patriots’ 23-16 win over the Bills.
After Milton’s impressive performance, would a team be willing to trade for a University of Tennessee product? Milton signed a four-year, $4.2 million contract with a 2025 base salary of $960,000. In other words, nearly every team can afford Milton if they choose to acquire him via trade. Here are five NFL teams that could trade for Milton this offseason.
Hearing multiple QB-needy teams have inquired about Patriots QB Joe Milton
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) January 6, 2025
Seattle Seahawks
Five years ago, Geno Smith was released and signed as a backup QB.
Two years later, he was a Pro Bowler and won Comeback Player of the Year.
Today, Smith hit ALL THREE $2M season bonuses he had in play—10 wins, passing yards, and completion percentage—for a total of $6M. pic.twitter.com/hmhoYxUb5Q
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 6, 2025
After failing to make the playoffs with a 10-7 record, the Seattle Seahawks have a big decision to make on quarterback Geno Smith.
Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract after the 2022 season. Smith now enters the final year of his deal, with a base salary of $14.8 million. However, a $16 million roster bonus will be triggered on March 16. Add in a $200,000 workout bonus, and his 2025 total is $31 million.
Smith’s cap hit for 2025 is $44.5 million.
If the Seahawks cannot sign Smith to an extension, perhaps they let Smith play out the final year of his contract and trade for Milton to be the backup. Seattle could even cut Smith and trade for Milton to compete with another veteran for the starting job.
New York Jets
AARON RODGERS IS STILL A TOP-NFL QB.
3,897 yards (3rd Jets history, 8th NFL)
28 TDs (3rd history, t-7th NFL)
192 first downs (8th NFL)
51 passes of 20+ yards (t-8th NFL)
11 INTs (4th fewest among QBs with 28+ TDs)ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS IN JETS HISTORY.
(Via @NYJetsTFMedia) pic.twitter.com/iZANTSFxz5
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 8, 2025
The New York Jets are coming off a disastrous 5-12 season. The Jets fired their head coach and general manager during the season.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was at the center of many heated discussions about what went wrong with the Jets. On paper, the 41-year-old had one of the best seasons in Jets history, with 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
However, a new regime might not want to start their tenure with a veteran quarterback.
Rodgers is under contract for 2025. The four-time MVP carries a cap hit of $49 million next season, but that can be spread out over two years if Rodgers is designated as a June 1 cut.
With or without Rodgers, the Jets could benefit from bringing in Milton to sit behind Rodgers or compete for the starting position with a bridge quarterback like Tyrod Taylor.
Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Milton’s arm just entered the chat… 💪 pic.twitter.com/2LKWVdDPhT
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) January 7, 2025
Inconsistent quarterback play from Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder was one of the main reasons the Las Vegas Raiders finished 4-13.
The Raiders have the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft, and they might take a quarterback.
If the Raiders trade the pick or take another position at No. 6, Las Vegas still needs to bring in a quarterback.
If the Raiders elect to go the bridge route, signing Kirk Cousins and trading for Milton would be a solid plan for 2025.
Cleveland Browns
It's actually hilarious how bad Deshaun Watson is on the best QB contract that's ever been handed out.
The Browns essentially sold their soul for a street free agent on the worst contract in the game. https://t.co/J9bR7qowMR
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) January 8, 2025
The Cleveland Browns have a problem at quarterback, and his name is Deshaun Watson. Since being acquired from the Texans, Watson has not lived up to his five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract.
Watson is 9-10 in 19 starts with the Browns. To make matters worse, the Browns still owe Watson $46 million each of the next two seasons. Cutting Watson next season is likely not an option due to a $72.9 million cap hit in 2025 and 2026. Watson’s dead cap used to be $172 million before they restructured Watson’s deal.
In all likelihood, Watson is on the Browns roster in 2025. Cleveland owns the No. 2 pick and could very easily take a quarterback.
If Cleveland doesn’t like any of their options, they could select Travis Hunter or trade back with a quarterback-needy team. Acquiring Milton in a trade would be a cheap option and a way to provide Watson with competition in 2025.
New York Giants
Giants are retaining HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. pic.twitter.com/TPb4GzOlUn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
The New York Giants are a mess right now.
After a 3-14 season, the Giants must solve their quarterback issues in a post-Daniel Jones world. The Giants have the No. 3 pick, but they will likely have to trade up to take Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are safe for at least one more year. That means they will be trying to win now. If the Giants don’t take a quarterback in the first round, they’ll try to sign a bridge quarterback to stabilize the offense.
Trading for Milton as a cheap backup is more than attainable.
