Patriots using unique method to develop rookie QB Joe Milton III

The Patriots are still preparing Joe Milton III behind the scenes

The New England Patriots are still keeping rookie quarterback Joe Milton III involved in the offense, and they’re doing so by a unique method.

With Milton not getting as many practice reps on the field, he has become one of the top users of the Patriots’ virtual reality system, according to coach Jerod Mayo.

The Patriots’ organization is undergoing a youth movement at the quarterback position, and Milton is a part of that movement as the third option behind Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett.

So it makes sense for the team to put a lot of emphasis on his development, even if it’s done in a non-traditional way.

Milton showed flashes of playmaking ability at various points during the preseason. It is clear he is still putting in the work, despite not being a major factor in the quarterback competition right now.

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Jerod Mayo reveals Patriots’ backup plan if Drake Maye is out

Jerod Mayo revealed the plan at quarterback if Drake Maye is out

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo revealed that Joe Milton III will serve as the backup quarterback if Drake Maye can’t play in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Jacoby Brissett would be the starter.

Maye left Sunday’s game near the end of the first half with a concussion. Brissett came in off the bench and helped lead the Patriots to a comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It’s worth noting that Milton wore a black practice jersey on Wednesday, per CLNS Media’s Mike Kadlick This means he earned Practice Player of the Week honors.

This could serve as a major subplot for the game if Maye is out on Sunday. If anything, Milton wearing the black jersey signals progress in his overall development.

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Patriots QB Joe Milton and Alex Van Pelt show off secret handshake

AVP wins serious style points for this

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt have been learning on the fly.

Milton is entering his rookie season in the NFL, and Van Pelt is entering his first season as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. They have already developed something in common. The two have formed a handshake, and it was captured on video Friday.

Milton has had a solid week. He was most recently named one of the eight practice team players of the week and had an opportunity to wear the custom black jersey as a result.

Now, he is continuing to develop that connection with Van Pelt, as the Patriots quarterback room continues to develop and grow.

https://twitter.com/NBCSPatriots/status/1834641808720093358

Time will tell how Milton does on the field. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging that he’s building a strong rapport with the coaches as the team starts from scratch in the quarterback room.

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Patriots rookie QB among 8 practice players of the week

Here are the Patriots’ eight practice players of the week

The New England Patriots recognized eight practice players of the week from last week, and one of those players was rookie quarterback Joe Milton III.

Milton did not see any action in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, he did see some extended action during the preseason. He turned heads during the first exhibition matchup against the Carolina Panthers, going 4-of-6 passing on the evening for 54 yards and a touchdown.

He stumbled a little bit in his second preseason game, but he still managed to show off his athleticism and strong arm.

Now, he is being recognized as one of the top practice players, along with Eric Johnson, Ochaun Mathis, Joe Giles-Harris, AJ Thomas, Kayshon Boutte, Mitchell Wilcox and Curtis Jacobs.

https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1833889036286439493

Milton has been viewed as more of a project player with tremendous upside. With that being said, there’s no doubt he is an incredible athlete, and that has continued to be on display for the Patriots throughout the regular season practices.

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Rookie QB Joe Milton III shares thoughts on current standing with Patriots

Joe Milton III comments on his growth since joining the Patriots

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III has seen growth in his game since the start of training camp. That’s a good thing with him competing with veteran Bailey Zappe for the No. 3 quarterback position.

The Tennessee product was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round with the 193rd overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft. He joined a Patriots quarterback room that is undergoing a revamp.

As a rookie, Milton has had a lot to learn about the NFL, and his development has progressed in practices and preseason games. He has gone a combined 6-of-13 passing for 74 yards and a touchdown in two game outings.

“I could tell you a lot. I’ve grown a lot, as far as what the coaches want in a play, how the play is supposed to be operated. Seeing Jacoby operate … I think he did a great job helping,” said Milton, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Milton brings a unique skill set to the Patriots’ quarterback room with his size, escapability in the pocket and throwing power. He has certainly made the budding competition more interesting.

However, progression will be important as the Patriots continue to sort out the future at quarterback.

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Bill Belichick shares thoughts on rookie QB usage in preseason

How important is the preseason for rookie quarterbacks? Bill Belichick chimed in

Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a unique perspective on the preseason and how to judge rookie quarterbacks.

Belichick appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and helped establish a baseline for how the rookie signal-callers should be judged. This is especially relevant on the New England side of things with Drake Maye’s usage being a hot topic for debate.

He played on only one drive in last week’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, and this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, he played for the second and third quarters.

Joe Milton III has also seen extensive work in preseason action. Belichick noted that kind of experience could play a large factor for any rookie quarterback under center in the NFL.

“I think we’re going to have to judge the rookies when they get to the regular season,” said Belichick. “Preseason is a good time to gain experience and get a little bit of game exposure. Especially at the quarterback position, the defenses are very basic. There isn’t a lot of scheme.”

Maye could have an opportunity to get even more reps in the Week 3 preseason finale.

Getting that experience for the rookie would be important, even if he isn’t the starter. The Patriots have had to revamp their quarterback room, and it has undergone a youth movement. Now, it’s going to be about development.

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Patriots QB Joe Milton III destroys Eagles safety Tristin McCollum

Patriots rookie QB Joe Milton III introduced himself to Eagles safety Tristin McCollum

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III is trying to impress in training camp. The former Tennessee start definitely left an impression on Philadelphia Eagles safety Tristin McCollum in their game on Thursday at Gillette Stadium.

Milton felt pressure in the pocket and took off up the middle. The 6-foot-5, 246-pounder ran into McCollum and sent him backward.

Milton had three carries for nine yards in the Patriots’ 14-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia. The sixth-round pick also completed 2-of-7 passes for 20 yards. He was sacked twice.

 

Patriots’ quarterback plans revealed for preseason game vs Eagles

Here’s how the Patriots will reportedly divvy up their quarterback snaps this week

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to see much more playing time in Thursday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, per NFL insider Albert Breer.

Maye only played in one series in the team’s preseason opener last week against the Carolina Panthers, while Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton III played for most of the game. Patriots starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett also played for a single series.

Breer posted on X, “After playing just one series last week, Patriots QB Drake Maye is set to see a lot more action tonight. The plan, I’m told, is to have Jacoby Brissett play the first quarter, Maye play the second quarter and into the third, Joe Milton to go in in the third and play into the fourth, and Bailey Zappe to finish.”

The biggest question is whether Maye will be playing behind the second-team offensive line unit. Such has been the case throughout training camp, but it could prove risky against a ferocious Eagles defense.

Could this be a situation where the Patriots finally let their prized rookie play behind the starting offensive line?

Milton getting another crack at preseason action is good news as well considering he stole headlines with his incredible performance last week. Will he be able to continue building on that momentum against the Eagles?

It should make for some fun drama entering Thursday’s matchup.

Former Tennessee quarterbacks by the numbers in NFL preseason Week 1

Former Vol quarterbacks by the numbers in NFL preseason Week 1.

Three former Tennessee quarterbacks competed during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

New England defeated Carolina, 17-3, Thursday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Rookie Joe Milton III completed 4-of-6 passing attempts for 54 yards and one touchdown for the Patriots. He recorded 22 rushing yards on five attempts.

The Giants defeated Detroit, 14-3, Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker completed 5-of-9 passing attempts for 36 yards against New York. He also recorded 34 rushing yards on 34 attempts.

Tennessee defeated San Francisco, 17-13, on Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Joshua Dobbs completed 14-of-20 passing attempts for 146 yards and one interception for the 49ers. He totaled six yards and one touchdown on one rushing attempt.

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo reveals one player who exceeded expectations

One player exceeded expectations for Jerod Mayo in the Patriots’ preseason opener

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo was proud of the effort from his team overall in Thursday’s 17-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. However, there was one player in particular that Mayo felt exceeded expectations in the preseason opener.

That player was none other than rookie quarterback Joe Milton III.

The former University of Tennessee standout had an impressive NFL debut. He didn’t come into the game until late in the third quarter, but it was clear that the offense moved more efficiently with him under center than it did with Bailey Zappe. He finished the game going 4-of-6 passing for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Milton’s ability to create positive offense when things broke down isn’t something the Patriots are used to having at quarterback.

When Milton is on the field, an aggressive defense runs the risk of him scrambling for positive yards or buying enough time to make off-script plays to receivers. He’s a headache for opposing defensive coordinators for plays exactly like this 13-yard scramble that initially looked like a sack.

Jacoby Brissett is currently the starting quarterback for the Patriots, and Drake Maye is believed to be the future. But Milton might already be making a case that he belongs somewhere in those conversations as well.