Joe Milton Already Turning Himself into a Patriots Fan Favorite

Patriots fans rejoice. Not only is the 2024 NFL season here but we also have not one but two exciting quarterbacks on the roster that we will get to watch for a long time. After the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, the Milton Magic is officially here.

In the first preseason game of the year, all eyes were naturally on third-overall pick Drake Maye. Once it was obvious that he wasn't coming back into the game after his first drive, the game was a total snooze. Until fellow rookie Joe Milton checked in. Once the Milton Magic took the field, excitement was palpable in Foxborough and the sixth-round pick completely delivered.

The social media was buzzing with every impressive Milton play. All it takes is one scroll down the Patriots' accounts to see the fans calling for Milton to start.

Obviously, it was just one half of a preseason game. As impressive as Milton's performance was, questions about his accuracy and composure remain. There is a reason the 24-year-old was a sixth-round pick. However, it's undeniable that he has made a big case for himself to be higher up in the pecking order.

It also can't be denied that Milton instantly became a fan favorite. In the post-game conference, Milton was told that head coach Jerod Mayo praised his performance. His humble reaction is exactly why he will continue to be beloved in Foxborough.

Thanking his coach for the compliment, Milton said that he still has a ton of work to do. And he is right.

Despite the boos by the crowd on Thursday night, Bailey Zappe is still on the team. Jacoby Brissett is projected to be the starter in Week 1 and Drake Maye is understandably higher on the hierarchy. Milton needs to sustain this level of play to get a chance to become the QB2 at some point in the season.

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