Former Michigan and Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton won’t soon forget his NFL debut.
The rookie sixth-round pick replaced starter Drake Maye after the New England Patriots’ first series and led the team to a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
New England would have clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft with a loss, but Milton delivered a standout performance against a Bills team that had already secured the AFC’s No. 2 seed and was resting several starters. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a 1-yard score in the first quarter.
His best throw of the game didn’t end up counting. On a third-and-goal from the 24-yard line in the fourth quarter, Milton pulled a Houdini act, scrambling out of the pocket and evading multiple defenders before throwing a seed to DeMario Douglas in the end zone.
The touchdown was negated because of a penalty, but his 48-yard strike to Kayshon Boutte in the first quarter stood. Milton, who spent three years at Tennessee after three at Michigan, rolled to his right and used his arm strength to throw across his body to a wide-open Boutte.
He was active for the first time Sunday and made a case to earn a roster spot in 2025. Milton scored on a read option in the first quarter and did a backflip in the end zone in celebration after giving the team in early 7-0 lead.
In his one season as a starter at Tennessee in 2023, the former four-star recruit from Florida threw for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns to five interceptions. He also rushed for 299 yards and seven scores.
Milton began the 2020 season as Michigan’s starter but was benched later in the year in favor of Cade McNamara.
With New England winning, it will now select fourth in the draft, and the Tennessee Titans will pick No. 1.
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