Patriots Taking Right Approach To Odd Joe Milton III Situation

Joe Milton III probably won’t be sticking around in Foxboro, Mass.

The New England Patriots have found themselves in an awkward situation regarding the second-year quarterback, as recent reports have contradicted one another regarding whether or not they’d entertain a possible trade.

Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that the club has “had discussions” regarding a potential deal, providing interesting context that they’d like for the ultimate landing spot to be a place he can continue to develop. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reportedly refuted the claim, saying there has been no traction on that front, continuing a hilarious recent trend.

Who should be believed? What should be believed? Where should be — nope, that one doesn’t make sense.

It’s tough to answer any of those questions, but one thing for certain is that they’re playing this thing right down at One Patriot Place.

New England is in the driver’s seat when it comes to a potential deal, and drumming up interest while refuting the possibility of movement is textbook stuff. Milton has some level of value after lighting the top pick on fire in the regular season finale, but you need to see just how much value we’re talking about.

Milton was a sixth-round pick for a reason, so no matter how many highlights he puts together in meaningless matchups, there’s a limit to what he could fetch on the trade market — at least for now.

The Patriots have zero reason to ship him off, even after signing a veteran backup on the first day of free agency’s legal tampering period.

Milton has dazzling tools, but they won’t do anyone any good in March. New England should wait until something happens that sends a team scrambling, whether it be an injury, unexpected poor play or even a retirement — which is how this same franchise traded Jacoby Brissett for future contributor Phillip Dorsett.

Milton is as good as gone, but it’s smart to wait because the closer you get to the season ,the more desperate some organizations become.