The New England Patriots entered the 2025 offseason with holes to fill on both sides of the ball. One they filled really well was the wide receiver position. After cutting ties with 2025's top receiver, Stefon Diggs, the team signed free agent Romeo Doubs to be their No. 2 receiver.
They then took the top off the NFL with a blockbuster trade for star A.J. Brown, their immediate No. 1 receiver.
These two additions at the top of the receiver unit augmented a solid core of returning veterans. They include Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Pop Douglas, third-round draft pick Kyle Williams, and 2025 undrafted free agent (UDFA) Efton Chism III, who surprisingly made the team last season.
The depth is superb, but questions remain about whether the team will keep all seven receivers or trade or move on from one or two. One name that's been raised as a possible roster casualty is Chism.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton has suggested who each NFL team should cut before the season and his choice for the Patriots is popular second-year wide receiver, Chism.
The New England Patriots have tough decisions to make at wide receiver
As the saying goes, "something's got to give," and it's certainly true for the Patriots' 2026 wide receiver unit. Moton has cited some key reasons why Chism might be the odd man out.
"Even if the New England Patriots trade Kayshon Boutte ahead of final roster cuts, Efton Chism III will probably be on the outside looking in at five wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. This offseason, New England signed Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract and acquired A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles...wideout Mack Hollins is going into his third year playing in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' offense.
Clearly, McDaniels trusts him in his system...As an offseason standout last year, Chism made the Patriots' 53-man roster. He'll come up short this year and probably land on the practice squad."
Moton's arguments are all sensible. One mitigating factor, as he mentioned, might be trading Kayshon Boutte or another returning receiver if the team decides to keep six. It will probably be one of coach Mike Vrabel's most difficult roster decisions when cut-down day arrives on August 30.
Chism entered the New England scene as a highly paid UDFA receiver with significant contract guarantees. In 2025, he did little to justify that commitment. He had a mere three total targets all season. (He did catch all three, and one was for a touchdown.)
Yet veteran Pop Douglas, one of his competitors for the slot receiver position, has had a strong camp and, unless he's traded, he's an almost absolute lock to make the team. That could let Chism out.
The downside is that Chism has flashed when he's been given chances, such as in pre-season or the few times he played in 2025 (though he was mostly used as an outside receiver rather than in his natural slot position).
But the determined second-year man just continues to get open and make catches when he gets the targets. Against the Colts, he had three receptions for 21 yards.
Cutting Chism will likely be a difficult decision for Vrabel, though he and his offensive staff have shown little inclination to see what he can do in the slot. Should they cut ties with him, they may regret it. He gets open and makes things happen after the catch.
It may be one of the worst decisions Varbel and the personnel staff make the entire offseason if he's cut.
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