Patriots quarterback Joe Milton has a message for fans who might be upset that New England lost out on the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Milton, who did not play in the first 16 games of the season, ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the regular-season finale against the Bills, a 23-16 Patriots win. Earlier this week, he answered critics on social media, saying he was simply taking advantage of the opportunity.
“I ain’t played football since preseason,’’ said Milton, who was 22 of 29 for 241 yards. “If [you all were] in my shoes and [were] given an opportunity to play, why would you go out there and not show up and show out? So [you] can talk about me if I lose?’’
If the Patriots had lost, they would have secured the No. 1 pick. With the victory, the Patriots fell to fourth behind the Titans, Browns, and Giants.
After the game, Milton was asked what he would say to fans upset that his play contributed to losing out on the top choice.
“We’ve got to handle how we handle our program as it is right now,’’ he said. “We can’t think too far in the future, can’t think too far in the past. We’re just being exactly where our feet are right now, as a program, as an organization. We’re just being here right now in the moment.
“Thinking about a pick right now is way out of our hands. If they’re going to give it to us, if they do it, they do it. If they don’t, they don’t. Right now, today, the main focus was to win.’’
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe.
