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FOXBORO, MA. \u2014 Throughout the summer, the chatter surrounding undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III was that he might have a chance to crack the opening roster. In the\u00a0New England Patriots\u2019 thunderous\u00a048-18 win\u00a0in Friday\u2019s preseason opener over the Washington Commanders, the Eastern Washington rookie made his mark when it mattered.<\/p>\n
Chism grabbed six passes for 50 yards, and tacked on 11 more as a punt returner. The big play of the night \u2014 a 12-yard touchdown \u2014 late in the third quarter was just the icing on the cake for what was a magical debut performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was awesome,\u201d Chism said postgame. \u201cSuper surreal, you kind of walk out the tunnel with everyone, (it\u2019s) been a blessing being here and I don\u2019t take it for granted. I got to go out there and play, so definitely super awesome and super thankful for the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The touchdown wasn\u2019t all. Later in the half, Chism caught a bubble screen from fellow rookie Ben Wooldridge and barreled his way into the redzone. It could have been his second score of the night, but a good chase down tackle from Washington\u2019s Kain Medrano held him out of the end zone.\u00a0Plays like that are ones that will earn the trust of the starting quarterback.\u201cHe\u2019s a baller. He loves coming and asking me questions about routes,\u201d Drake Maye said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just loves football. He\u2019s just a football player and you saw that tonight making plays. Glad he got in the end zone and almost should have gotten in the end zone again on the screen. \u2026 Just blocking hard, doing all the right things, and I think that\u2019s what we keep preaching in the offensive room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (86) runs against Washington Commanders cornerback Car’lin Vigers (22) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images \/ Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesOn the screen, Chism knew his next move was to get vertical up the field and let the offensive linemen block for him.<\/p>\n
After a night where the rookie was blocking for his teammates all game, he was able to capitalize on the help from others.\u00a0\u201cHis play strength stood out to me from the sideline,\u201d head coach Mike Vrabel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way that he blocks and his ability to catch the ball in traffic \u2013 the ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben\u2019s hand \u2013 kind of ran through a tackle, ran through contact and then we threw him a screen. So those are all positive things.\u201dThe rookie told reporters his love from getting dirty and making blocks on the outside stems from a mindset learned in high school. If he isn\u2019t making plays without the ball in his hands, he won\u2019t get a chance to have the ball in his hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying hard, that\u2019s kind of what I pride myself on, and the little details,\u201d Chism said. \u201cGoing out there and doing everything I can to my full abilities. When I got the ball, I got to kind of show that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chism will ideally hope to stack his performance\u00a0against Washington\u00a0and carry it into next week\u2019s matinee with the Minnesota Vikings. For now, the slot receiver is just enjoying the moment.\u201cIt\u2019s been such the biggest blessing and the biggest honor to be here and to play in the National Football League,\u201d Chism said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not taking it for granted. I hope the guys in the locker room aren’t either, but we\u2019re the one percent of the one percent, so just taking that \u2013 each day an opportunity presents itself, just trying to take advantage of it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOXBORO, MA. \u2014 Throughout the summer, the chatter surrounding undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III was that he might have a chance to crack the opening… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":76159,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n