Could the Patriots' future rest on Jalen Milroe, the dynamic Alabama QB hailed as 'next Jalen Hurts'?

Jalen Milroe is suddenly the name that’s heating up in New England as the Patriots navigate a sudden shift in their quarterback strategy. After what is being considered one of the most surprising moves involving a practice squad player in recent memory, the Patriots traded Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round selection. While the move might seem minor at first glance, it signals a significant shift in the franchise’s quarterback depth — and perhaps even a look toward Alabama’s electrifying QB talent, Milroe.

Patriots linked to bold quarterback move with Jalen Milroe in upcoming NFL Draft

Joe Milton wasn’t your average practice squad name. Drafted in the sixth round of 2024, he flashed immense upside in his only real outing during Week 18 against a reserve-heavy Buffalo Bills squad. Milton threw for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score — and more impressively, launched a pass that clocked in at 61.7 mph, the second-fastest ever recorded in NFL history. That single performance left fans and analysts wondering if the Patriots had uncovered a gem — only for him to be traded away weeks later.

So why let a talent like Milton go for what seems like a modest return? Reports suggest that Milton viewed himself on equal footing with the Patriots' new face of the franchise, Drake Maye — the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to those same reports, “Milton believed that he could overtake Maye and become the New England No. 1 quarterback himself.” With the Patriots clearly committed to Maye as their future, Milton’s self-confidence may have caused internal friction, prompting New England to move him.

With Milton gone, New England's quarterback room now looks noticeably thin. Behind Maye, there’s only veteran backup Josh Dobbs, signed in March to a two-year, $8 million deal. This leaves the Patriots lacking a developmental prospect — a critical void in today’s evolving NFL.


Enter Jalen Milroe.

Described by Patriots insider Phil Perry as “the 2025 NFL Draft’s most polarizing prospect,” Milroe brings a skillset that's impossible to ignore. A rare athlete under center, Milroe's raw athleticism, dual-threat capabilities, and leadership have drawn comparisons to another Alabama standout — Jalen Hurts . Perry even notes, “Milroe is a rare athlete at the position, even if he’s a tad undersized (six-foot-two, 217 pounds) to be considered a prototype.” The parallels to Hurts — who overcame early setbacks and skepticism to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl — are difficult to overlook.

However, there's an intriguing wrinkle. Former Patriots OC Bill O’Brien, who coached Milroe at Alabama, reportedly wasn’t his biggest supporter as a quarterback. Despite this, Milroe's decision to attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay signals that he may not be waiting long to hear his name called — possibly even in the first round. “Milroe may be long gone by the time the Patriots are even thinking about adding a developmental quarterback,” Perry warned.

So where does that leave the Patriots?

The trade of Joe Milton could ultimately reflect a bet on the future — perhaps a future with Milroe in it, if he slides down the board. But with the buzz surrounding him, New England may have to act faster than planned. If Milroe indeed slips into later rounds, his combination of explosive playmaking and untapped potential could make him an ideal fit behind Maye — and perhaps, in time, a contender for the job.

Whether they gamble on Milroe or turn elsewhere, one thing is clear: the Patriots' quarterback evolution is far from over.

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