Efton Chism’s emotional reaction to making Patriots roster

Patriots

Chism’s great camp earned him a roster spot even with a crowded wide receiver room.

Efton Chism emerged as one of the best stories from Patriots training camp, going from an undrafted free agent to a near roster lock based on his impressive practices and preseason performance.

So while it wasn’t all that surprising to see Chism given an opportunity by Mike Vrabel and the Patriots brass, it did make for a nice moment on Tuesday’s cutdown day.

In the latest installment of New England’s “Forged in Foxborough” docuseries, the Patriots revealed Chism’s front office visit with Eliot Wolf where he officially found out he made the team.

Watch the clip here:

“Huge blessing, huge honor,” Chism said. “I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”

As Chism told reporters earlier in the week, he was already in the building working out when Wolf brought him in the room. He didn’t have to sweat it out too close to the 4 p.m. deadline, finding out the good news early in the afternoon.

Following Tuesday’s cutdown day — and the Patriots’ decision to release Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker on Wednesday — New England’s receiver room is down to six: Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Chism.

Although Chism doesn’t project to have a large role in his rookie season — he’ll likely be Douglas’s backup in the slot — his presence on the roster at all is “pretty awesome” to the undrafted free agent receiver.

Chism also continues a strong tradition of standout UDFAs with New England. The Patriots had a 19-year streak of an undrafted free agent making the team’s 53-man roster, and although it was broken in 2023, Dell Pettus brought the tradition back in 2024 and Chism continues it in 2025.

Some of the best free agents in Patriots history include Adam Vinatieri, David Andrews, and Malcom Butler. Chism will also join Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Chris Hogan as UDFAs to play for the Patriots, though none of the latter three began their careers in New England.

Chism can make his Patriots regular-season debut Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Las Vegas Raiders.