Any speculation linking Joe Milton III to the New Orleans Saints can officially be laid to rest.
On Thursday, the New England Patriots traded the rookie quarterback to the Dallas Cowboys in a draft pick deal. Milton was originally selected by New England with the 193rd overall pick (Round 6) in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trade details, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
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Patriots receive: 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 174)
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Cowboys receive: Joe Milton III and a 2025 seventh-round pick
While the Saints were loosely mentioned as potential trade candidates in a speculative piece by The Boston Globe, there was never any concrete reporting to suggest serious interest. A hypothetical trade idea involving Milton and wide receiver Chris Olave was floated, but that scenario was more fantasy than reality.
Realistically, the price Dallas paid wasn’t steep. If the Saints had truly wanted Milton, they easily could’ve made a better offer. But they didn’t — and now, the opportunity is gone.
That said, the quarterback position remains a looming concern in New Orleans. Derek Carr has no guaranteed money on his contract beyond 2025, and the team must start planning for the future. Whether it’s using the No. 9 pick on a top prospect or waiting until Round 2, the Saints can’t afford to leave this draft without a young quarterback in the building.
