NFL QB Carousel 2024: Joe Milton III Emerges as Intriguing Trade Target for Browns, Steelers, Giants

NFL QB Market Heats Up: Joe Milton III’s Rise and Potential Landing Spots

The 2024 NFL quarterback carousel is spinning faster than ever, with veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson dictating the market’s tempo while under-the-radar names like Joe Milton III quietly generate buzz. Amid seismic shifts—Geno Smith joining the Raiders, Matthew Stafford recommitting to the Rams, and Deshaun Watson’s $230M contract haunting Cleveland—the New England Patriots’ sixth-round pick has emerged as a fascinating wild card. Milton, who dazzled in a Week 18 start (22/29, 241 yards, 2 TDs) against Buffalo, now sits at the center of trade rumors. With Drake Maye entrenched as New England’s future and journeyman Joshua Dobbs added as a backup, the Patriots are reportedly fielding calls for Milton. Below, we break down his fit with six QB-needy teams, analyze financial implications, and explore why a former Tennessee Volunteer could reshape the AFC North.

Cleveland Browns: A Financial Lifeline Amid Watson’s $100M Dead Cap

The Browns are trapped in quarterback purgatory. Deshaun Watson’s $230Mfullyguaranteeddeal—carrying$107M in dead cap through 2026—has left the franchise scrambling after his second Achilles tear sidelined him for 2025. While Kenny Pickett offers a short-term fix, Milton’s $1.25M cap hit through 2027 is a fiscal godsend. Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam, a Tennessee alum deeply connected to Milton’s college roots, could push for a trade to inject affordable upside. Milton’s cannon arm (he threw a 70-yard bomb at his pro day) pairs well with Amari Cooper’s deep threat ability, and his mobility (16 rushing yards vs. Buffalo) offers schematic flexibility. For a team hemorrhaging cap space, Milton is a low-risk lottery ticket with starter potential.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Post-Rodgers Contingency Plan

Pittsburgh’s QB hunt has fixated on Aaron Rodgers, but if the four-time MVP retires or signs elsewhere, the Steelers must pivot. Russell Wilson, who started 11 games in 2023, remains an option, but Milton’s raw tools could entice OC Arthur Smith. Smith’s play-action-heavy system demands arm strength, and Milton’s ability to launch moonshots to George Pickens or DK Metcalf (if acquired) is tantalizing. At 6’5”, 235 lbs, Milton’s frame suits Pittsburgh’s physical identity, and his $1.1Msalaryin2025ispenniescomparedtoWilson’s$39M cap hit. With the 21st pick in a weak QB draft class, the Steelers might view Milton as a developmental project with higher upside than mid-round rookies.

New York Giants: Draft Desperation and Post-Stafford Blues

The Giants’ QB woes are well-documented. After failing to land Matthew Stafford and facing slim odds of drafting USC’s Caleb Williams or UNC’s Drake Maye at No. 3, they’re stuck between veterans and unknowns. Milton, while unproven, offers a intriguing alternative. GM Joe Schoen, who prioritized Josh Allen’s arm talent in Buffalo, might see similar traits in Milton. Pairing him with Brian Daboll—a QB whisperer who revived Daniel Jones’ career briefly—could unlock his potential. With Saquon Barkley and Darren Waller as safety valves, Milton’s risk-taking style might thrive in a low-pressure environment. At worst, he’s a cheap bridge; at best, a diamond in the rough.

Las Vegas Raiders: Planning for Life After Geno Smith

The Raiders’ trade for Geno Smith signals a win-now approach, but the 34-year-old is a short-term solution. Milton, acquired for a late-round pick, could apprentice under Smith while HC Antonio Pierce rebuilds. Smith’s $25Msalaryin2025isn’tprohibitive,butMilton’s$1.2M cap hit allows Vegas to allocate resources to glaring needs (cornerback, offensive line). With Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as targets, Milton’s arm could stretch defenses vertically—a dimension Smith lacks. GM Tom Telesco, who drafted Justin Herbert in LA, has a history of betting on physical tools, making Milton a logical target.

Los Angeles Rams: McVay’s Next Reclamation Project?

Sean McVay turned Matthew Stafford into a Super Bowl winner and resurrected Baker Mayfield’s career in 2022. Now, with Stafford year-to-year and Stetson Bennett’s future uncertain, Milton could be McVay’s next pet project. Milton’s raw athleticism (4.62 40-yard dash) and arm talent align with McVay’s love for play-action bombs to Puka Nacua. Senior assistant Alex Van Pelt, who coached Milton in New England, provides insider intel, smoothing the transition. For a team that thrives on undervalued assets (see: Kyren Williams), Milton fits the Rams’ “stars and scrubs” blueprint perfectly.

Dallas Cowboys: Dak’s Affordable Insurance Policy

Dak Prescott’s $59.4Mcaphitin2024hashamstrungDallas’roster-building,forcingthemtoshedcostslikebackupCooperRush.TreyLanceremainsunproven,leavingavoidbehindPrescott.Milton’s$985K salary and three years of team control are ideal for Jerry Jones, who covets “cheap upside.” With CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks as deep threats, Milton’s arm could thrive in limited action. OC Brian Schottenheimer, who coached Brett Favre and Russell Wilson, has the pedigree to refine Milton’s footwork and decision-making.

The Bottom Line: Why Milton’s Market is Booming

In a league where QB costs are skyrocketing (15 starters earn $30M+annually),Milton’s$1.25M cap hit is a unicorn. Teams like Cleveland and Pittsburgh, shackled by bad contracts, see him as a financial reset button. For others, like the Giants and Cowboys, he’s a hedge against draft uncertainty. And for visionaries like McVay, he’s clay to mold. While Milton isn’t a surefire starter, his combination of affordability, arm talent, and athleticism makes him 2024’s most intriguing trade chip. As Rodgers’ decision looms, expect Milton’s name to surge in chatter—a reminder that in today’s NFL, sometimes the best moves are the cheapest ones.