Patriots Defeat Panthers In First Preseason Game Due To Joe Milton III’s Performance

The Jerod Mayo era has begun in Foxborough as the Patriots won their preseason opener 17-3 against the Carolina Panthers. Both offenses didn’t generate much scoring due to the rainy and damp weather, but rookie signal caller Joe Milton III was the man of the night.

The sixth-rounder led scoring drives on his first two sets before running out the clock and kneeling to end the game in his final drive. Milton completed four of six passes for 54 yards – one was a 38-yard touchdown to JaQuae Jackson. The former Volunteer impressed with his legs as he spun out of a sack and found a lane to get a 12-yard gain. Milton’s performance can give Bailey Zappe a run for his money as there’s competition for the third-string quarterback spot.

First round selection Drake Maye was limited in Thursday’s game, completing two of three passes for 19 yards while Jacoby Brissett played one series.

Receiver Javon Baker caught two passes for 11 yards while David Wallis returned two punts for 36 yards – his 23-yard return sparked the first touchdown of the game. Kayshon Boutte caught three passes for 53 yards despite dropping a few convertible throws. The second-year wideout fought over a defender and picked the ball out of the air to bring it inside the five, resulting in the opening touchdown.

Time would tell if Maye or Milton will be the solution to the Patriots’ quarterback dilemma as they played in small sample sizes. The Patriots flipped between Mac Jones and Zappe to solve the problem, but that didn’t pan out well as the team failed to pose a winning record after Jones took them to the playoffs in 2021-2022.

JuJu Smith-Schuster was released on Friday, leaving a spot open in a crowded receiving room.