As the NFL season charges into October, the New England Patriots find themselves navigating a familiar storm: division rivalry drama mixed with the harsh realities of injury attrition. On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III addressed the media for the first time since Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson dismissed his game-winning touchdown catch as a fluke. Rather than firing back, Chism took the high road, offering a response that revealed maturity beyond his years.
“He’s a great player. They’re a great team. I got a bunch of respect for him, but we’re excited for this week, looking forward to the Raiders,” Chism said at his locker, per the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk. The quote echoed through the Patriots’ facility, signaling that the undrafted rookie from Eastern Washington is more focused on stacking successes than engaging in a war of words.
The Catch That Sparked the Controversy
Chism’s one-handed, fully extended grab in the back of the end zone last Sunday in Buffalo was immediately hailed as one of the early candidates for Catch of the Year. The acrobatic play secured a dramatic Patriots victory and announced Chism’s arrival on the national stage. But Gardner-Johnson, never one to mince words, wasn’t impressed. “An elevated guy made a hell of a catch — probably won’t hear from him again,” Gardner-Johnson said. “A practice squad player made a hell of a play. That’s all I’m going to tell you. You do it again, and he probably won’t make it again.”
Those comments might sting for some, but Chism—who, unlike Gardner-Johnson, has never spent a day on a practice squad—simply brushed them aside. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, teammates and coaches have praised his even-keeled demeanor, and Wednesday’s press session only reinforced that reputation.
Opportunity Knocks in New England
With A.J. Brown remaining on injured reserve through at least next week and Mack Hollins sidelined from Wednesday’s practice with a calf injury, Chism is poised for a significantly expanded role in the Patriots’ offense. The timing couldn’t be better for a player who has spent countless hours after practice building chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye.
“For me, it’s just reset. The good, the bad, whatever it is, it’s getting back to my work and our work as a team. Try to stack another one,” Chism said. “You never know when you’re going to get those opportunities. Just trying to take advantage of them. Nobody ever wants to see people get hurt. I want those guys back, I know everyone else wants those guys back. But continue to prepare like a starter.”
Maye, the second-year signal-caller, has been effusive in his praise for Chism’s intelligence and reliability. “It’s been awesome just seeing Chis come in here and be the same guy,” Maye said. “From Day 1, you saw. You can tell when a guy from my experience, a receiver, who has a chance at making plays. You see that with Chis. He’s fearless. He’s doing a lot of the little things. He’s just showing up. He comes in everyday and always tries to see my side of things and ask questions and try to get on the same page. And that’s what happens: you start seeing the results.”
What’s Next for the Patriots?
New England is expected to lean on Chism more heavily in the coming weeks, especially with the Raiders on deck—a matchup that could allow the rookie to further prove Gardner-Johnson wrong. As highlighted on Vulius, Chism’s work ethic behind the scenes has already earned him the trust of the coaching staff, and his performance on Sunday may have been just a glimpse of what’s to come.
For now, Chism remains focused on the task at hand, refusing to let outside noise disrupt his preparation. If his response to Gardner-Johnson is any indication, the Patriots may have found not just a playmaker, but a professional who understands the value of letting his game do the talking.
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