The New England Patriots will have plenty of competition in their quarterback room this summer.
New England selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Maye is expected to be the Patriots' quarterback of the future.
In the sixth round of the draft, New England selected Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton, who will presumably compete for a backup job with the Patriots this summer.
After the Patriots selected Milton, Maye took to Twitter/X.com to react to the pick.
"Joe Cool! Congrats bro," wrote Maye.
Maye and Milton are already familiar with each other from their time together at the Manning Passing Academy.
“We came in contact multiple times, even before the season at the Peyton Manning Camp," said Milton about his relationship with Maye. "So me and him are close. Not close as we’re going to be, but we’re close right now to the point that we can have a conversation for sure.”
New England now has five quarterbacks on the roster in Maye, Milton, Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, and Nathan Rourke.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, a former Vols linebacker, told reporters after drafting Milton that New England wants plenty of competition in the quarterback room.
“We’re in the business of trying to get good football players through the door, and Milton happens to be one of them,” said Mayo said on Saturday.
“Obviously, he (Milton) understands we took a quarterback at three with Drake,” added Mayo. “One thing we preach is competition. Everything is about competition and nothing is given. All of it’s earned. And that’s how we thought about the process.”
Maye will get his chance to shine as New England's starter, but if he falters, Milton will be there ready and waiting for his chance.
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