Joe Milton said he was caught off guard by the New England Patriots trading him away. But he sounds happy with his new landing spot.

Talking to reporters Thursday, the second-year quarterback said that landing with the Dallas Cowboys was a “blessing.”

Why’s that? Milton outlined four reasons.

1) “Back in the heat, for one,” the Florida native said about moving from the cold of Foxborough.

2) “They allowed me to play in a dome for two,” he said about getting to play at AT&T Stadium.

3) “For three, it’s America’s team,” Milton said.

4) “Also, it’s just great to learn from somebody like Dak,” Milton said about the opportunity to play behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott.

Milton revealed that he was “surprised” that the Patriots traded him after one season. The quarterback said he woke up to a call that the deal was dealing him away.

He said the only thing he could do in that moment was to thank God while he waited to learn where he’d end up.

“Coming here was a blessing,” Milton said. I didn’t know it was going to be here. My agent said it was multiple teams that called. So I didn’t know where I was going to end up. I was just thankful to go somewhere.”

The Patriots drafted Milton in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After some flashes in the preseason, Milton had a strong showing in New England’s regular-season finale.

With a new coaching staff in place and Drake Maye locking down the quarterback job, the Patriots opted to deal Milton to Dallas. New England gave up Milton and a Round 7 pick in exchange for a Round 5 pick.