The New England Patriots had 12 wide receivers in the room at the start of training camp and had to waive/release players to meet the 53-man roster capacity ahead of the 2025-26 season.
New England decided to move on from 4 of the WRs and kept 8 receivers on the final roster entering the regular season (for the time being).
Undrafted free agent wide receiver from Eastern Washington, Efton Chism, is one of the players who made the roster. Chism spoke to the media after NFL Cutdown day, talking about making the roster as a UDFA rookie.
“It’s pretty awesome, pretty special,” Chism told reporters with a smile. “You know, put a lot of hard work into it, but I can’t thank my coaches and the guys around me for allowing me to take advantage of the opportunity and the coaches for giving me the opportunity.”
“So, I’m truly blessed, truly grateful and excited just to get after it.”
The former EWU receiver shined in the preseason for the Patriots. In the 2 preseason games he played, Chism hauled in 12 catches for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Efton Chisms’ Attitude Going Forward
GettyPatriots WR Efton Chism
Now that he has secured his spot on the New England Patriots roster for week 1, Efton Chism has his eyes set on becoming a better player.
“How can I help the team out? How can we win games? What will I have to do to continue to get better each and every day?” the wide receiver said. “I just feel like if I continue with the attitude I had that got me here, it’s gonna allow me to grow and become a better player.”
Patriots wide receiver coach Todd Downing called Chism an absolute joy to work with in training camp.
“His work ethic is second to none. A guy that understands he’s got to fight for all of his opportunities and then make the most of them when he gets them,” Downing said, via Forbes.
Chism will need to use the mentality heading into his rookie season, as he appears lower on the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart.
Patriots Wide Receiver Room
GettyPatriots WR Stefon Diggs
The New England Patriots had 8 wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster before releasing Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker.
Now at 6 players, Efton Chism will have less competition to fight for snaps in Foxborough.
The former FCS wide receiver has been out the last week with a foot injury and said he was in the treatment room trying to get healthy to return to the practice field to take advantage of opportunities.
With two weeks until the start of the regular season, Chism can show out at practice and find himself getting snaps out of the gate in his rookie year.
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