When your head coach singles out one play from an offseason practice that particularly caught his attention, you listen closely. When it's Mike Vrabel who dishes out the plaudits for the play, it should take Patriot Nation's attention to a whole other level.
In this case, the play was a wide receiver route, and the player was second-year wideout Efton Chism III.
Chism was signed as a big undrafted free agent (UDFA) in 2025 and made the Patriots' roster. Whenever a UDFA makes an NFL roster, it's news. In his case, the Patriots dished out $2.99M on a three-year deal to the University of Eastern Washington product, and he lived up to his end of the bargain by not only making the team but also being the Patriots' best player in the 2025 preseason.
The Patriots have made a habit of discovering UDFA gems who not only contribute but even help win Super Bowls, as Malcolm Butler did with the play of the game to win Super Bowl LIX. Chism has the talent to be a star slot receiver in the NFL.
Unfortunately, he was seldom used in 2025. It was a questionable decision by the offensive coaching staff, but Vrabel could ensure Chism is more involved in the offense this fall.
Efton Chism's great OTA play put him squarely back on the Patriots' map
The play in question happened in an OTA when Chism made a particularly impressive move on a pass play in the red zone. Vrabel made it clear he appreciated it with possibly a startling comparison to one of the Patriots greatest receivers ever, Julian Edelman.Patriots'
Patriots' Wire's Danny Jaillet commented on the scene and speculated about to whom Vrabel was comparing Chism.
"Vrabel could be heard talking up Chism from the sidelines with what sounded like a comparison to a previous Patriots wide receiver. After catching the pass and scoring in the red zone, Chism threw the ball up into the air for his touchdown celebration...One has to wonder if Vrabel was referring to Patriots great Julian Edelman.
Of course, the Patriots have had no shortage of solid slot receivers in the franchise's history. Chism turning into the next Edelman would be a huge development for the team in a year where they've added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs on the outside."
That's quite a comparison, indeed. But it shouldn't come as any surprise to Patriot Nation. Chism is no Johnny-come-lately to catching passes. He was a superstar at Eastern Washington in 2024 when he logged a monster statistical year.
He caught 120 passes for 1,311 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Eagles and earned All-Big Sky Conference first team honors for the second straight year.
Unfortunately, the Patriots' offensive coaching staff used him sparingly in 2025, recording just three targets all season. Of course, he caught all three for first downs, one of which was a touchdown. In addition, he was used mostly outside by the Josh McDaniels-led offensive coaching staff and hardly in the slot at all, his best position.
Some expected Chism to be a big performer in 2025, but he never received the opportunity. Perhaps in 2026, now that Vrabel is taking notice, he'll get that chance. If he does, he'll capitalize on it, and the team will never look back.
If he gets the targets, expect a season with 60-plus catches for about 750 yards and a half a dozen or more touchdowns. If the Patriots foolishly don't realize that and keep this emerging talent on the bench again, they'll pay the price on the field.
Add us as a preferred source on Google