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.

FOXBOROUGH - During Mike Vrabel’s pre-draft press conference, the Patriots coach addressed the Joe Milton III trade for the first time. Earlier this month, the Patriots traded the quarterback and seventh round pick (No. 217) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder (No. 171).

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.