Could the Browns trade for another quarterback to compete for the starting job?
A day after signing Myles Garrett to a contract extension, which made him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, the Cleveland Browns sat tight as teams overpaid an inflated free agent market. The Browns did make one transaction when they acquired Kenny Pickett via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
While that trade left a lot of Cleveland fans down, there are still opportunities to add depth and competition to the QB room ahead of the draft despite one major NFL insider changing his tune on the Browns’ plan at the top of it. The free agent market for quarterbacks has been a guessing game so far as teams jockey for help at the position moving forward with several dominoes left to fall.
One report of another potential trade option has connected Cleveland as a possible suitor when you consider the links. Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported that the New England Patriots have had discussions about trading away Joe Milton, whom they selected in the sixth round of last year’s draft:
Sources: The #Patriots have had discussions on trading QB Joe Milton III and would like to trade him to the right situation to continue his development in the NFL — should a deal get done.
New England loves Milton, but Drake Maye is their franchise and they just signed Josh… pic.twitter.com/w6N2ivaJNE
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2025
Milton could be an interesting option to compete for the starting job for multiple reasons. First, Mike Vrabel is the new head coach in New England and he would probably be in favor of moving him to a situation that he’s confident can support the young quarterback.
In addition, there are several other reasons to suggest the Browns may be interested. Milton played at Tennessee and we all know that Jimmy Haslam is one of the biggest boosters at his alma mater. The Browns also had Milton in for a visit to Berea as one of the team’s official 30 visits prior to the draft.
Milton was a prospect with impressive size and has one of the strongest arms of any draft eligible QBs in recent memory. He was drafted by the Patriots as insurance in case Drake Maye didn’t pan out, but Maye flourished as a rookie, and after New England signed Josh Dobbs as a backup, it appears that they may be willing to trade Milton.
Another dot to connect would be that Milton was coached by Alex Van Pelt, the former Browns offensive coordinator under Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt deserves credit for both of the rookie’s development and one could assume that Stefanski has an open line of communication to his former OC despite their parting last year.
In Milton’s only action of last year, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, during their 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. Milton could be an interesting upside option for the Browns, it might be worth a draft pick on day three to take another swing.
What do you think? Are these dots worth connecting or do you think this is a stretch for the Browns? Let us know in the comments below.