FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Efton Chism III crossed the finish line last among New England’s offensive players following their surprise victory in Buffalo, his moment of glory secured by a clutch, one-handed touchdown reception that also drew noticeable attention from broadcast cameras.
As he exited the tunnel near the locker room, head coach Mike Vrabel stood in wait. Chism, signed out of Monroe High School as an undrafted free agent in 2025, shared a heartfelt embrace with Vrabel, reflecting on his journey from often being a healthy scratch to stepping into pivotal moments against the Bills. Vrabel offered warm words: “I’m so fing happy for you.”
Chism’s standout grab quickly moved beyond Gillette Stadium, with the NFL’s official X account updating its header image to feature his catch, a highlight his girlfriend noted with pride. Teammates, including Romeo Doubs, labeled it the season’s most memorable snag, and the play dominated early-week highlight reels.
An added layer of intrigue emerged when Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson misidentified Chism as a practice-squad member. Rather than respond publicly, Chism chose to acknowledge the comment with respect, noting, “He’s a great player, they’re a great team. I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” while shifting focus toward the upcoming matchup with the Raiders.
What makes the touchdown especially remarkable is that Chism’s presence on the winning play was never guaranteed. The Patriots had run the specific formation multiple times during preparation, anticipating it might be needed late. Yet each time they rehearsed it, Chism remained on the sideline, until Sunday, when his first-time execution sealed the game.
Quarterback Drake Maye observed, “We weren’t practicing some of these plays with those guys in there, so it’s cool how this game brings people together.”
This unexpected breakthrough aligns with Chism’s consistent work ethic. Maye and Vrabel often joke about encountering him deep into evening hours at the facility, long after others have departed.
“Nobody’s going to work harder than Chism,” Vrabel said. “He’s in [wide receivers coach] Todd Downing’s office by 5:30, if not 5, absorbing the game plan down to every position. His toughness, routine, and willingness to master multiple roles are impressive. It’s rewarding to see guys like that seize their moments, because that’s exactly what this league rewards.”
With key veterans sidelined, Chism’s role is poised to expand. A.J. Brown remains sidelined with a high ankle sprain, while Mack Hollins sat out Wednesday’s session due to a calf issue. That leaves just four active receivers: Doubs, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, and Chism, setting the stage for his busiest workload yet in Sunday’s contest against Las Vegas.
A New England Patriots wide receiver, Chism, is being asked to step into a larger role as his team deals with injuries at the position. Head coach Mike Vrabel noted that opportunities are created for players who prove capable when called upon, adding that Chism has performed well in various situations. Vrabel stated that Chism is expected to continue contributing across multiple roles for the team.
Despite a standout collegiate career at Eastern Washington, which included an FCS record for consecutive games with a reception, Chism went undrafted. The 40-yard dash time of 4.71 seconds recorded prior to the draft impacted his draft stock. However, the Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent with a contract that included $252,500 in guaranteed money. This figure represents the second-highest amount the organization has ever allocated to a player in that category.
Chism, who was born in Kirkland and raised in Monroe, faced an early setback this season during the team's opener in Seattle. Despite having family and friends in attendance, he was listed as a healthy scratch for the game. Chism acknowledged that not playing in such moments is difficult but emphasized the importance of maintaining patience and avoiding dwelling on the past or future.
Teammate Maye commented on Chism's work ethic, observing that he consistently stays late at the facility and remains committed to practice drills. Maye added that Chism's dedication to the sport is evident through his actions. Chism previously appeared in three games during his rookie year, recording 75 yards and a touchdown on three receptions.
His persistence led to a significant opportunity during a recent game against the Buffalo Bills. Chism secured a one-handed touchdown catch from 23 yards out to seal the victory. This play was executed despite Chism having not practiced the specific route prior to the contest. He now has seven receptions in 11 career NFL games. Chism remarked that many observers likely did not anticipate he would reach this stage in his career.