Efton Chism responded respectfully after C.J. Gardner-Johnson referred to him as a practice-squad player, saying he respected Gardner-Johnson and his team. The New England Patriots receiver also made clear that his attention has turned to the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The exchange followed Chism’s one-handed touchdown catch in New England’s win over the Buffalo Bills. According to Boston.com, Chism had four catches through the Patriots’ first four games. His response focused on taking advantage of opportunities and returning to work rather than extending the conversation.
The attention surrounding Chism was unusual for a player who was a healthy scratch in the season opener and whose chances have been limited early in the season. A large group of reporters gathered to speak with him after the Buffalo game, while television cameras and writers captured his reaction to the catch and the comments that followed.
Efton Chism responds to C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s comment
Asked about Gardner-Johnson’s remarks, Chism praised him and his team. “He’s a great player. They’re a great team. I’ve got a bunch of respect for him, but we’re excited for this week, looking forward to the Raiders,” Chism said.
That answer kept the focus on the Patriots’ next opponent. Chism did not frame the exchange as a personal dispute, instead emphasizing respect and the importance of preparing for Las Vegas. His response also avoided turning one touchdown catch into a larger argument about his standing in the Patriots’ receiver room.
The attention from the Buffalo game extended beyond the comments from Gardner-Johnson. The NFL’s official X account was using a photo of Chism’s one-handed catch as its header, and Chism said he did not know about that until his girlfriend showed him. He described the attention as a cool moment, while still moving quickly back to the team’s next challenge.
What Gardner-Johnson said about the Patriots receiver
Boston.com reported that Gardner-Johnson referred to Chism as a “practice-squad player.” The same report clarified that Chism has not spent time on the Patriots’ practice squad. He made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent and has remained on it, according to the report.
Gardner-Johnson also predicted that Chism probably would not be heard from again that season. That was an attributed prediction, not a confirmed outcome. It also does not establish what role Chism will have going forward with New England.
Chism’s roster status is important context because his opportunities have not followed a steady pattern. The source described him as a 24-year-old slot receiver who appeared in eight of New England’s 17 games last season. He also did not dress for the season-opening Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, despite eventually becoming a prominent part of the discussion after the Bills game.
Chism made his opportunity count against Buffalo
Chism’s one-handed touchdown catch came during the Patriots’ win over the Bills and became the central moment in the discussion surrounding Gardner-Johnson’s comments. The play also added context to Chism’s early-season production, which included four catches through the first four games, according to Boston.com.
His playing time has varied from game to game. The source noted that he has received as few as two snaps in some games and 10 in others. The Buffalo matchup was only the second time in Chism’s career that he played more than 30 offensive snaps, making the late touchdown especially significant within the context of his limited opportunities.
With the Patriots trailing by five late in the fourth quarter on the road in Buffalo, Chism delivered the biggest catch of his professional career. The play gave him a chance to contribute in a decisive moment, even though his role had been inconsistent before that game.
Chism said he tries to be ready when opportunities arrive. “You never know when you’re going to get those opportunities. Just trying to take advantage of them,” he said.
That approach helps explain Chism’s measured response. Rather than treating one play as proof of a permanent change in his role, he described the catch as an opportunity he needed to handle when it came his way. He also expressed support for his teammates, saying the receiver room and the team were important to him.
Could Chism receive more opportunities?
Boston.com reported that Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said Chism could receive more opportunities amid injuries at wide receiver. That possibility should not be read as a confirmed depth-chart change or a guarantee of increased playing time.
The injury situation had already affected the Patriots’ receiver group. The source identified A.J. Brown and Mack Hollins as having been hurt before the Buffalo game. Chism said he was excited to get Brown back and hoped Hollins could return as soon as possible, while also emphasizing that the team valued its entire receiver room.
Vrabel praised Chism’s preparation and work habits during a radio interview on WEEI. He said that nobody worked harder than Chism and pointed to the receiver’s practice work, his participation with the show team, and the large number of repetitions he takes. Vrabel also said Chism logs more miles or yards than anyone else in the areas the team tracks.
Vrabel’s comments provided support for the idea that Chism’s preparation has kept him ready despite the uneven game action. The coach said players taking advantage of opportunities and helping the team win was something to appreciate, while also leaving open the possibility that Chism could see more chances because of the injuries at receiver.
Chism’s roster path remains part of the story. He made New England’s 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent and has stayed on the active roster, according to the Boston.com report. The available information establishes his roster status, but it does not determine how prominently he will be used against the Raiders or later in the season.
Chism said hearing Vrabel speak positively about him felt great. He added that the players respect the coach and that it meant a lot that Vrabel believed in him. Chism said he planned to continue building that relationship, reinforcing the emphasis he placed on work rather than on the outside discussion.
Chism says his focus is on resetting and working
After the Bills win, Chism said his approach was to reset rather than dwell on the positive or negative parts of a performance. “For me, it’s just reset. The good, the bad, whatever it is, it’s getting back to my work and our work as a team. Try to stack another one,” he said.
That message was also reflected in the tone of his press conference. There were laughs and smiles when fellow receiver Kyle Williams joined him for some lighthearted banter, but the football discussion remained centered on preparing for the next week. The moment offered a glimpse of the team environment around Chism without changing the uncertainty around his game-day role.
For now, that leaves the immediate focus on the Patriots’ upcoming game against the Raiders. Chism’s touchdown, Gardner-Johnson’s prediction, and Vrabel’s comments provide context, but none confirms a larger role or future production. Chism’s own message was simpler: reset, work, and prepare for the next opportunity.
Boston.com’s report on Chism’s response and the exchange with Gardner-Johnson provides the comments and game context discussed here.
