Patriots trade Milton to Cowboys

The New England Patriots are trading Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, the quarterback told Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

New England will also send a seventh-round pick to Dallas in exchange for a fifth-rounder, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"My family grew up a Cowboys fan," Milton told Schultz on Thursday. "My mom always had a Cowboys shirt on. She always talked about them. Living in Texas has been a longtime dream of mine. And now I'm with them. I'm ready to work."

Milton will back up Dak Prescott after Cooper Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

Dallas was interested in Milton from the outset, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who adds the club was open about its efforts to trade for a quarterback.

The Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers were also interested in Milton, but the Patriots ultimately sent the passer to Dallas to satisfy his wishes, according to Schultz.

This is the second time in three years the Cowboys have traded for a backup passer, having acquired Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.

Milton became expendable to the Patriots after they signed Joshua Dobbs to a two-year, $8-million deal in March. Milton will be on his rookie contract for another three seasons.

The 25-year-old was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round in 2024 and was the team's third-string quarterback. Milton only played in the Patriots' season finale against the Buffalo Bills, throwing for 241 yards and one touchdown while rushing for another.