Patriots QB tries to one-up Joe Milton's viral celebration, but the real winner is clear

The New England Patriots made a splash in the 2024 NFL Draft, taking not one, but two quarterbacks. Drake Maye was selected with the third overall pick, but later on in the sixth round, the team decided to bring in former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton.

And Milton has quickly become a fan-favorite in New England, in part because of his joyful attitude and fun celebrations.

At each training camp practice, the quarterback's compete in target practice, aiming at openings in a net. And most of the time when Milton makes it, he gets the crowd even more hyped by doing a backflip right after.

But Jacoby Brissett was tired of Milton getting all the attention. So he decided to bring in a move of his own.

While he couldn't do a flip, he opted for a cartwheel instead.

But it's safe to say that Milton still has the advantage in terms of these celebration moves. The rookie might have to give Brissett some pointers.

More on Joe Milton's backflips

Why Joe Milton never did a backflip at Tennessee (via Zach Ragan)

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton, a sixth round selection by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, loves to break out a backflip on the practice field, before games, and after games.

But Milton, who has been doing the backflips since he was three years old (the age when his dad taught him), never did a backflip at Tennessee to celebrate a touchdown.

And there's a reason why.

Milton told reporters on Friday at Patriots training camp that he decided against doing a backflip to celebrate in college after USC punter Will Rose was penalized in 2022 for doing a backflip while celebrating a successful two-point conversion.

"If I don't get a flag and a fine, I'll do it (as a celebration in the NFL)," said Milton. "I wanted to do it in college, but after the USC player did it, they kinda told me that it was bad so I didn't do it."

That's a silly unsportsmanlike penalty. It wasn't taunting. And it wasn't some wild group celebration. Just a simple flip.

But good on Milton for resisting the urge to do a backflip after a touchdown and avoiding a penalty.

The good news for Milton is that a backflip doesn't appear to draw a penalty or a fine in the NFL.