Joe Milton’s scintillating preseason debut causing more Patriots’ quarterback questions

Stop if you’ve heard this story before: The New England Patriots drafted a former Michigan quarterback in the sixth round who is immediately turning heads.

While it was against the Panthers’ third-stringers in the Patriots’ preseason opener, Joe Milton looked calm, poised and electric with his arm and legs on Thursday night.

Presumed Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett was given just a single drive in the first preseason game while Drake Maye — the team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – also received a single drive.

Veteran Bailey Zappe got the bulk of the snaps before Milton took over to a big pop from the crowd late in the third quarter.

Milton completed four-of-six passes for 56 yards and a touchdown while running for 22 more in New England’s 17-3 win at Foxborough.

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“That’s just Joe being Joe, honestly,” rookie receiver Javon Baker said, according to Mass Live. “He can do everything. He’s got legs. He’s got an arm, as you all know, he can throw the ball. Joe can do everything, for sure.”

Among the highlights, Milton faced four defenders on third down as his offense line collapsed and he evaded them during a wild scramble that gained 12 yards and a first down.

“I haven’t ran like that in so long,” Milton, 24, said with a laugh, per Mass Live.

He later nailed wideout JaQuae Jackson for a 38-yard touchdown pass.

If Milton continues to impress in the preseason, it could make Zappe expendable.

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Milton, who has a rocket for an arm, spent six seasons in college — split evenly between Michigan and Tennessee.

He finally held onto the starting job last season for the Volunteers, throwing for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions as Tennessee went 9-4.

The season, which started with Tennessee ranked No. 12 in the country, was considered a disappointment as they lost to SEC rivals Florida, Alabama, Missouri and Georgia.

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NFL insider Albert Breer quickly poured cold water on “Joe Milton Mania.”

“New England’s collective lack of college football knowledge makes it the ideal mark for Joe Milton Mania,” Breer said in a tweet on Thursday night.

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, has struggled at times during training camp.

The Boston Globe previously reported it was hard to identify which quarterback was a hyped first-round prospect.

Milton commonly does standing backflips in practice and can launch the ball 70 yards.

Six quarterbacks were taken in the first round, but Milton had to wait until pick No. 193 to hear his name called as the ninth quarterback off the board.

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