FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots subtracted from their quarterback room earlier this month — trading Joe Milton III to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.

With the NFL Draft just around the corner, the New England Patriots made a surprising move involving backup QB Joe Milton III—one that head coach Mike Vrabel says is “best for the team.”

The reasons for the Patriots’ surprise trade of their backup quarterback are coming into view. New England dealt Joe Milton to the Cowboys for a fifth-round pick earlier in April, and while meeting with the media on Tuesday, head coach Mike Vrabel explained why the team did what it did.