Efton Chism III just made one of the sickest catches of the season last Sunday in Buffalo, fully extending with one hand to haul in the game-winning touchdown. It was straight-up incredible. So, what did Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson do after that? He completely dismissed it, acting like it was pure luck and Chism was a nobody. Seriously?
Trash Talk and a Class Act Reply
Gardner-Johnson wasn’t shy about it. He called Chism “an elevated guy” who made “a hell of a catch” but then dropped the bomb: “probably won’t hear from him again.” He went on, “A practice squad player made a hell of a play. That’s all I’m going to tell you. You do it again, and he probably won’t make it again.” Wow, talk about a cold take. But here’s the kicker: Chism has never actually been on a practice squad in his career, and the Patriots are definitely expecting to hear a whole lot more from him. When Chism was asked about the comments, he didn’t jab back at all. He just said, “He’s a great player. They’re a great team. I got a bunch of respect for him, but we’re excited for this week, looking forward to the Raiders.” That’s how you shut down the noise, with pure class and focus on the next opponent.
Opportunity Knocks, And Chism Is Answering
That clutch play on Sunday wasn’t just a highlight reel moment; it was a sign of what’s coming. With A.J. Brown still on injured reserve for at least another week and Mack Hollins sidelined from Wednesday’s practice with a calf injury, Chism is set for some serious opportunities. And you can bet he’s ready to take advantage. He’s all about the reset button: “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,” Chism said. He knows you gotta seize these moments, saying, “You never know when you’re going to get those opportunities. Just trying to take advantage of them. Nobody ever wants to see people get hurt. I want those guys back, I know everyone else wants those guys back. But continue to prepare like a starter.”
It’s not just injuries paving the way, though. Chism’s performance and his tireless work behind the scenes are earning him this bigger role. Quarterback Drake Maye can’t say enough good things, complimenting how smart Chism is and how he’s always exactly where he needs to be, which Maye called “reassuring” for a QB. These two are putting in the extra work, staying after practice almost every day to get those reps in. Maye sees it clear as day: “It’s been awesome just seeing Chis come in here and be the same guy. From Day 1, you saw. You can tell when a guy from my experience, a receiver, who has a chance at making plays. You see that with Chis. He’s fearless.” Maye added, “He’s doing a lot of the little things. He’s just showing up. He comes in everyday and always tries to see my side of things and ask questions and try to get on the same page. And that’s what happens: you start seeing the results.”
This week, it’s all about the Raiders. Chism isn’t just focused on proving Gardner-Johnson wrong; he’s locked in on stacking another strong performance and helping his team grab a win. You can feel the hunger to keep showing up big.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
Leave a Reply