The New Orleans Saints are preparing for their fifth season without Drew Brees, and the team still hasn’t found another franchise quarterback. New Orleans has spent money on multiple veterans, and drafted a couple of guys on day three of the draft. However, no one has emerged as the quarterback that the team could build around.
The Saints are currently set up to enter the 2025 season with Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener as the team’s three quarterbacks. They do still have the draft, where a top quarterback could be in play in the first or second round, and there are other young QBs in the league that the Saints could explore trading for.
One of those quarterbacks is Joe Milton III of the New England Patriots, who is believed to be available for trade. Milton was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 Draft. The problem, though, is that New England drafted Drake Maye in the first round of the same draft, and Maye has already established himself as the franchise QB in New England.
Milton did see action in one game in 2024, and he put on a show. The athletic quarterback completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for an additional touchdown. That game, in addition to his 6-foot-5, 246-pound frame, and unique athleticism and arm strength, has people ready to see his potential explored, instead of stuck on the Patriots’ bench.
The problem is that New England likes Milton, and loves the idea of having him in case Maye goes down. That’s why the team reportedly wants good value if they trade him. In a league where teams are desperate for quarterbacks, a team may be willing to meet New England’s demands.
Ben Volin, of The Boston Globe, recently explained that the New Orleans Saints could be one of those teams. Volin reported the Patriots are entertaining trade offers, and a team like New Orleans makes a lot of sense.
"(The Saints) have Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci under contract, but none are the future of the franchise. Sitting with the No. 9 overall pick, the Saints may get shut out for the second year in a row from the top quarterbacks. It may be worth it to trade one of their three Day 2 picks -- Nos. 40, 71, and 93 -- for a low-risk, high-upside QB."Ben Volin (The Boston Globe)
Saints considered a team that should trade for Joe Milton III
That’s a move that would certainly generate some excitement amongst fans. Milton’s ability as a full-time quarterback is completely unknown, but there’s a chance he could be a franchise quarterback— that ship has sailed with Derek Carr. Additionally, with the asking price believed to be a third-round pick, New Orleans has two third-round picks in 2025, so they can afford to move one for a promising quarterback.
If this is a move the Saints are considering, they may want to wait until the Draft, depending on how they rate the quarterback in the 2025 Class. If New Orleans likes Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe— or any other QB prospect that could be available for them to draft —more than Milton, the team could wait to see who they could land. If those guys fly off the board, the Saints could send one of their thirds during the draft for Milton.