However, in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills, Milton was on the game-day roster and came in for Maye after the first drive.

The 24-year-old impressed with his performance, completing 75.9% of his passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding another score with his legs on his way to a 23-17 win.

Milton did so well that Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo reported that “quarterback-needy teams have inquired” about trading for the rookie.

New England obviously will continue to start Maye, their 2024 first-round pick, for the foreseeable future, but Milton could be a solid, inexpensive backup going forward. If other teams are reaching out, the Patriots will have to decide whether the return will be worth moving on from the sixth-round pick after one season and having to pay another quarterback to be their backup.