For the first half of the 2024 season, Joe Milton's role on game-day has been the same.
He has been designated as the team's emergency third quarterback, meaning he can only enter the game if the New England Patriots' two other quarterbacks are unable to play due to disqualification or injury.
But on Sunday, he could have a new role. And that's to serve as the backup quarterback.
"I expect Joe Milton [III] to be the backup if Drake can't play," Mayo confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.
Since Drake Maye suffered a concussion in last Sunday's win over the Jets, his status is in question. If he can't play, that means Jacoby Brissett will step up as the starter and Milton will be right behind him on the depth chart.
And based on what happened last game, it proved that it truly could be anyone's turn at any moment.
However, despite this possible change, Milton's mindset heading into the week remains the same.
"Approach it like every other week. Just always be Joe. That's something that I have on my mirror. Just be me at all times," he told A to Z Sports. "Keep my trust in God. I'm nothing without him. So just keep that same faith and same trust, and always be me coming here. Same old smart, goofy guy that just loves football."
Milton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, marking the second quarterback the team selected. So he knew that he wasn't going to be playing immediately. The goal was to grow and develop into an NFL quarterback.
"I feel like I've grown a lot. Just trying to stick to that terminology. College is a little bit different with the way we use words and the way we call defense ID's out. So it's a little but different in the NFL," he explained. "Just adjusting to that and then just accommodating that no matter what happens, just always be ready.
But when he gets that opportunity on the field, he's ready to go.
"Just to prove to myself and God, and just keep the team ahead of the change. That's it."
