Undrafted free agent Efton Chism III was in the Patriots’ building around noon on NFL cut day, working out and getting treatment, when executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf asked him to come to his office.
He knew things could go one of two ways, and despite his excellent performance through two preseason games, he hadn’t participated in practice since his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings weeks ago. A minor injury sustained in that game sidelined him for a critical final two weeks of preseason.
“[It was] definitely difficult not being out there, especially as an undrafted guy. You feel like you’re missing an opportunity, and that’s how I felt,” he said at his locker Wednesday.
But by then, Chism had shown enough to impress the decision makers in Foxboro, and Wolf welcomed him to the 53-man roster.
“It was pretty surreal, pretty sweet. I gave him a couple hugs. I couldn’t thank him enough,” Chism said, with a big smile.
It wasn’t unusual for him to be in the treatment room following his injury. Quarterback Drake Maye has taken to teasing the 5’10 receiver for how much time he spends with the staff, making sure he’s getting himself in the best playing condition he can.
“He always jokes with me, like, ‘Man, you always in here.’ Just trying to stay right,” he said, and added, “Availability is the best ability. For me to not be out there the past two weeks really sucks. So I’m in there, two or three times a day.”
Pairing that attitude with a strong and steady pair of hands helped the 5’10 receiver shatter Cooper Kupp’s record at Eastern Washington University for receptions in a season, and now, he’s a bona fide NFL player.
But he’s got a lot more work ahead. He’s happy to follow the same path as other slot receivers who have come through Foxboro and find a role on special teams, in addition to any receiver reps he gets this season.
“I think it’s huge. I think my ability to do different roles and different stuff will allow me to stay here longer, and allow me to elevate my role into different situations where I want to be on the field,” he said.
Chism spoke with Danny Amendola when the former Patriot visited practice a few weeks ago, but hasn’t gotten the chance to connect with Super Bowl legend Julian Edelman, yet. He’s spent the last few months studying their game tape.
And all that time in the treatment room has helped him get back on the field. When asked whether he’s healthy now, Chism said, “Absolutely.”
He may have had jitters walking into Wolf’s office, but ask his teammate, DeMario Douglas, and he was a lock to make the roster.
“I haven’t really talked to him because I kind of knew, I knew he was going to make it. I think he knew, too,” Douglas said before Wednesday’s practice. “His play, how he played on the field, that speaks for itself. He did good, bringing his details from the classroom to the field and showed his grit and how tough he is.”
The squad Chism joins is still very much in flux, a reality coach Mike Vrabel has been up front about since the last game of the preseason.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne reportedly requested to be released following cut day, and ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported New England plans to release receiver Javon Baker, as well.