Former Tennessee Vols quarterback described as 'not a good dude' by NFL insider
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton was routinely praised by coaches and fans during his time in Knoxville for being one of the best teammates in the program — especially after losing the starting quarterback job to Hendon Hooker in 2021. New England Patriots insider Greg Bedard, however, says that Milton was viewed much differently […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton was routinely praised by coaches and fans during his time in Knoxville for being one of the best teammates in the program — especially after losing the starting quarterback job to Hendon Hooker in 2021.
New England Patriots insider Greg Bedard, however, says that Milton was viewed much differently inside the Patriots' organization.
Milton, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick by the Patriots, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason. And now that Milton is no longer is in New England, Bedard is spilling the beans on Milton's reputation in the Patriots' locker room.
"Joe Milton was, and this is a direct quote from someone in the organization, not a good dude," said Bedard. "And [he was] not conducive to a good quarterback room. I'm not saying he — they did say that, but I think they just meant in terms of knowing your role, playing your role, being part of a harmonious quarterback room. That that was going to be an issue. And it wasn't about Drake Maye, it was just about the room."
The perception is that Milton wanted to push for the starting job in New England, which wasn't an opportunity that was going to be available for him. As a result, the Patriots signed a veteran quarterback in Josh Dobbs this offseason to serve as Maye's backup before sending Milton to the Cowboys.
I'm not sure the "not a good dude" description of Milton is fair — that certainly wasn't his reputation at Tennessee. But thanks to his time in New England, it's a reputation that he's going to have to find a way to shed in the NFL.
