Jordy McElroy, Patriots WireWed, February 4, 2026 at 2:14 AM UTC·2 min readFormer New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton's one-and-done run with the team has been one of the great mysteries to ever come out of Foxborough.
When appearing on WEEI's Radio Row, Milton admitted that he felt disrespected by the Patriots for never bumping him to No. 2 behind Drake Maye, after Jacoby Brissett was benched as the starter in 2024. He believed he had shown enough in practice to warrant the opportunity from the coaching staff.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, former Patriots coach Jerod Mayo kept him at No. 3 behind Maye and Brissett.
"I think it would have been different when Jacoby was the starter—Drake was the backup, I was the emergency quarterback," said Milton. "When you move Drake up to start, what should Jacoby now do? He got his job took. [I should have moved up, too]. But you don't do that. You keep him at the [No.] 2 because he's the vet. But he's not taking reps. It's just me and Drake the only ones practicing, but he's still the two. I just felt disrespected."
Milton was ultimately traded, along with a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe former Tennessee Volunteer appeared in one game for the Patriots in the 2024 season finale against the Buffalo Bills. He threw for 241 yards and one touchdown, along with rushing for 16 yards and one touchdown, in a 23-16 win over a Bills team resting its starters.
Since joining the Cowboys, Milton has thrown for 183 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in four game appearances.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: QB Joe Milton reveals what really happened in fallout with Patriots
AdvertisementAdvertisement