Joe Milton III’s ‘mature’ response to Patriots fans accusing him of blowing first pick wins NFL socials
Joe Milton III fired back at salty Patriots fans for blaming him for losing out on the first overall pick after winning his first and only regular season game in his rookie season.
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Joe Milton III (Image via IMAGO/X)
Joe Milton III balled out in the New England Patriots’ final game of the 2024-25 season against the Buffalo Bills. The sixth-round pick threw 22 completions from 29 attempts for 241 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots defeated the Bills 23-16.
It was a moment to savor for the rookie quarterback winning his first NFL game. However, the happy moments evaporated quickly and switched to social media anger by the Patriots fans.
The Patriots improved to 4-13 after beating the 13-4 Bills but also dropped from the first overall pick to fourth in the 2025 NFL draft. Many fans reportedly were unhappy with the win and would have preferred the Patriots losing to secure the top pick.
Milton found himself stranded in between the crossfire as he was the quarterback who had the win. A few fans who were in favor of tanking reportedly slandered the Tennessee graduate on the internet. Despite enraging a section of the fandom, 24-year-old Milton gave a mature response to winning the regular season finale.
I ain’t played football since preseason. If y’all was in my shoes and y’all was given an opportunity to play, why would you go out there and not show up and show out? So y’all can talk about me if I lose? … Make that make sense. They want me to tank for the first pick.
Joe Milton III said on Instagram Live
????????: Joe Milton III responds to angry #Patriots fans on IG Live who are mad about not getting the 1st overall pick:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 9, 2025
"I ain't played football since preseason. If y'all was in my shoes and y'all was given an opportunity to play, why would you go out there and not show… pic.twitter.com/Ug11EdVERa
Each word Milton spoke was true. Players don’t go into a game to tank.
Milton is a rookie who is fighting for regular game time against another rookie, Drake Maye (3rd overall pick), who impressed many even though the Patriots finished dead last in their division.
Joe Milton III is on the radar of several NFL teams
The Patriots fans can be salty all they want, but Milton may have changed his destiny with just one outing at Foxborough. Reports throughout the league suggest that NFL general managers were put on high alert after Milton’s performance.
Milton’s 61.71 MPH throw on Sunday mesmerized a lot. Not only that, his 6-foot-5 stature with nimble feet drew comparisons with Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo reported that several quarterback-needy teams are looking at Milton as a possibly cheaper alternative to drafting or trading for a veteran quarterback.
Hearing multiple QB-needy teams have inquired about Patriots QB Joe Milton
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) January 6, 2025
Milton started his college football career with Michigan before transferring to Tennessee, but was the starter only during the final year of his eligibility. He won 8 games for the Volunteers in his senior year, throwing 225 completions for 2769 yards, and 20 touchdowns, along with 75 carries for 292 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns.
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Ishan Misra
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