Not Just Rumors, Joe Milton Personally Sends "Ultimatum" to Patriots

On May 31, 2025, the NFL world was rocked when Joe Milton, the quarterback recently traded from the New England Patriots to the Dallas Cowboys, openly expressed his dissatisfaction with his former team. In an exclusive interview with Heavy.com, Milton didn’t hesitate to compare the offensive systems of the Cowboys and Patriots, implying that the environment in New England wasn’t suited to his playing style. Are these statements Milton’s “ultimatum” to the Patriots, or merely an emotional outburst from a young player trying to find his place in the NFL?

The Context of the Controversial Trade

On April 3, 2025, the Patriots agreed to trade Joe Milton along with a seventh-round pick (No. 217) to the Cowboys in exchange for a fifth-round pick (No. 171) in the 2025 NFL Draft. The trade came after the Cowboys lost their backup quarterbacks, Cooper Rush (signed with the Baltimore Ravens) and Trey Lance (signed with the Los Angeles Chargers). With Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, recovering from hamstring surgery, Milton became a potential option to fill the gap in the roster.

However, this trade was more than just a routine transaction. According to sources within the Patriots, Milton left a negative impression within the organization. Reporter Greg Bedard on the “Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast” revealed that a source within the Patriots described Milton as “not a good guy” and unfit for a backup role in the quarterback room. Bedard emphasized that the issue wasn’t Milton’s relationship with Drake Maye, the Patriots’ starting quarterback, but rather his overall fit within the team.

Milton’s “Ultimatum”

In his interview with Heavy.com, Joe Milton didn’t hold back in expressing his excitement about joining the Cowboys while making pointed comparisons between the two teams’ offensive systems. He stated, “Everything here (Cowboys) is truly different. This offensive system takes me back to my college days. At my previous team (Patriots), everyone was locked into fixed routes.”

This comment was not just an observation about playing styles but was seen as a direct jab at the Patriots’ offensive approach. Milton suggested that the Patriots’ system lacked flexibility and didn’t allow him to showcase his full potential, in contrast to the “explosive” environment in Dallas. These remarks quickly sparked controversy, especially given reports that Milton had previously expressed a desire to compete for the starting role against Drake Maye in New England, a move considered “overstepping” for a rookie.

Patriots’ Response and Internal Dynamics

According to reporters Phil Perry and Tom E. Curran from NBC Sports Boston, the Patriots’ decision to trade Milton wasn’t solely driven by the emergence of Drake Maye or the signing of Joshua Dobbs as a backup quarterback. Instead, Milton’s excessive confidence, particularly after an impressive performance in the 2024 season finale against the Buffalo Bills (22/29 passes, 241 yards, 1 touchdown), reportedly created tension in the Patriots’ quarterback room. At 25 years old, Milton felt he wasn’t inferior to the 22-year-old Maye and wanted a chance to compete for the starting role, which likely contributed to the trade decision.

Furthermore, some sources suggest that the Patriots received better trade offers from other teams but ultimately chose to send Milton to the Cowboys, the team he wanted to join due to his lifelong admiration for “America’s Team.” This indicates that the Patriots may “‘ultimatum’” to the Patriots, or merely an emotional outburst from a young player trying to find his place in the NFL?

The Context of the Controversial Trade

Milton’s “Ultimatum”

Patriots’ Response and Internal Dynamics

Furthermore, some sources suggest that the Patriots received better trade offers from other teams but ultimately chose to send Milton to the Cowboys, the team he wanted to join due to his lifelong admiration for “America’s Team.” This indicates that the Patriots may have accommodated Milton’s wishes to some extent while also aiming to resolve internal issues quickly.

Opportunities and Challenges in Dallas

Joining the Cowboys, Joe Milton is expected to serve as a potential backup quarterback for Dak Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes in the 2023 season. With a contract worth just $3.225 million over three seasons, Milton is a cost-effective investment for the Cowboys, especially compared to Cooper Rush’s salary with the Ravens.

However, Milton remains a “raw talent” with areas to improve, such as accuracy and game-reading skills. NFL.com once noted that he possesses a “cannon arm” but lacks consistency in his passing. Under the guidance of head coach Brian Schottenheimer and coordinator Klayton Adams, Milton will have the opportunity to develop in an offensive system better suited to his dynamic playing style. Still, with Prescott as the undisputed starter, Milton is unlikely to see the field unless injuries occur.

The Start of a War?

Milton’s statements have not only stirred controversy but also raised questions about whether this marks the beginning of a “war” between him and the Patriots. While not directly criticizing any individuals or coaches, Milton’s comments about the Patriots’ system could be seen as an indirect “declaration of war,” especially as he seeks to prove his worth in Dallas. Meanwhile, the Patriots appear ready to move on from the drama, focusing on building their roster around Drake Maye.

However, for a young player like Milton, these remarks could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they demonstrate confidence and a desire to prove himself; on the other, they risk damaging his reputation with other teams, especially given the Patriots’ label of him as “not a good guy.”

Conclusion

The trade of Joe Milton from the Patriots to the Cowboys is not just a transaction but the opening of a drama-filled chapter in the NFL. Milton’s comments about the Patriots, while not a literal “ultimatum,” have sparked controversy and raised questions about his future in Dallas. Can Milton seize this opportunity to prove that the Patriots were wrong to let him go, or will he remain an unpolished talent struggling to find his place? Only time will tell.

For now, Cowboys fans are eagerly awaiting whether Milton can deliver the “explosive” performance he’s promised, or if this is just another chapter in his promising yet challenging NFL journey.