Jerod Mayo sends subtle message to Joe Milton after the former Vol's solid first preseason game

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton had a solid NFL preseason debut for the New England Patriots on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.

Milton, a sixth round selection by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, completed four-of-six passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also picked up 22 rushing yards on five attempts.

Milton's performance against Carolina did nothing to quell the excitement that the former Vol has generated during training camp via his impressive physical abilities.

After the game, however, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who is also a former Tennessee Volunteer, sent a subtle message to Milton, stressing the importance of consistency.

"We know he has a big arm, he has the athleticism," said Mayo after New England's win against the Panthers. "He's getting better with his reads every single day. He has natural leadership ability. But once again, it's not just about one game -- it's about the full body of work. You can come out here and play well but you also have to do it on a day-to-day basis, in practice and you've got to gain the confidence of not only the coaches but also your teammates. And this was a step forward for him."

Consistency has been Milton's biggest issue throughout his career. He has the tools, he's a great teammate, and he always brings positive vibes to the field. But he's struggled at times with consistency during games (throws, reads, field awareness, etc).

If Milton can find the consistency that Mayo hinted at, then the former Tennessee quarterback will have a legitimate chance to make an impact in the NFL.

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