Why the Patriots Should Give Efton Chism III a Real Shot in the Stretch Run
The New England Patriots head into their bye week with something they haven’t had in a while: momentum and a legitimate shot at making noise in the AFC. They’re not just winning games-they’re doing it with a young, exciting offensive core and a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye who looks more comfortable by the week. The offense is spreading the ball around, the defense is holding up its end, and this team is starting to remind fans of those early-2000s Patriots squads-gritty, overlooked, and quietly dangerous.
But even with all that, there’s still room for a little fine-tuning. And one move stands out: it’s time to sit wide receiver Kyle Williams and give rookie Efton Chism III a real opportunity.
Let’s be clear-this isn’t about Williams being a liability. He’s been serviceable in his role, but that’s just it: he’s been average.
Through the season so far, Williams has caught just 5 of his 13 targets for 143 yards. That’s not disastrous, but it’s not moving the needle either-especially in an offense that thrives on efficiency and versatility.
Every snap matters when you're chasing playoff positioning, and the Patriots need to squeeze every ounce of potential out of their roster.
That’s where Chism comes in.
The undrafted rookie turned heads in the preseason with a mix of quickness, toughness, and football IQ that had some fans drawing bold comparisons to Julian Edelman. Sure, that’s a lofty name to throw around, and no one’s saying Chism is Edelman 2.0 just yet-but the fact that he even earned that kind of buzz speaks volumes about the impression he made. He didn’t just sneak onto the roster-he earned his spot with consistent play and flashes of explosiveness.
Now, with the Patriots in the thick of the playoff race, it’s the perfect time to see what Chism can do when the lights are brightest.
Drake Maye has already shown he can distribute the ball with poise and precision. DeMario Douglas, Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have all crossed the 400-yard mark this season, and each brings something different to the table. But adding a wildcard like Chism could give the offense another gear-especially in the slot, where his quick cuts and reliable hands could help keep drives alive and create mismatches against linebackers and nickel corners.
More importantly, the Patriots are in a position where they can afford to take a calculated risk. Williams isn’t a core piece of the offense, so giving Chism some of those snaps isn’t a major gamble-it’s a smart investment in a player who might just have that “spark” quality.
And if it doesn’t work out? You can always pivot back.
But the upside here is too intriguing to ignore.
This Patriots team has something brewing. They’ve got the defense, they’ve got the quarterback, and they’ve got the belief.
Now it’s about finding that one or two extra pieces that can elevate them from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender. Sometimes, those pieces come from unexpected places.
Sometimes, they wear No. 83 and weren’t even drafted.
Efton Chism III has earned his shot. It’s time for New England to give it to him.