Vrabel Jabs 8-Team Gardner-Johnson After Patriots' 29-26 Win

Q: Will Drake Maye's resilient comeback and Efton Chism's clutch touchdown secure Chism a permanent starting role?

Not by itself. Chism’s touchdown and Drake Maye’s comeback made a strong case for a bigger role, but they do not guarantee Chism a permanent starting job. What the play likely secured is stability on the roster and a serious look for more snaps. Chism was already valued for his work ethic, toughness and special-teams versatility, and both Mike Vrabel and Maye publicly backed him after the win. In Buffalo, he produced under pressure after entering with almost no offensive track record, and he did it while filling in because of injuries and a still-shifting receiver rotation. The bigger obstacle is the depth chart. A.J. Brown remains the clear No. 1 when healthy, and Romeo Doubs is expected to hold a major role. DeMario Douglas has a defined slot function, while Mack Hollins had been heavily involved before leaving the Bills game with a calf injury. That means Chism is competing less for a full-time starting post than for sustained inclusion in the weekly offensive plan. His outlook improves if Hollins misses time or if New England continues to reward reliability over pedigree in a crowded room. The touchdown, combined with his special-teams value, probably moved Chism from roster-bubble receiver to trusted contributor. But to lock down a permanent starting role, he will need repeated production over the next several weeks, not just one signature catch.

3 articles · Updated · Boston Herald · Oct 5

Mike Vrabel answered C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s postgame swipe by noting the Bills safety has been on eight teams in four years after Buffalo mocked Patriots receiver Efton Chism.
Gardner-Johnson had called Chism a “practice squad player” after Chism caught the game-winning touchdown in New England’s 29-26 win Sunday in Buffalo.
Chism has never been on an NFL practice squad, remaining on the Patriots’ 53-man roster since arriving as an undrafted free agent in 2025; Gardner-Johnson spent a week on Baltimore’s practice squad last season.
New England, now 2-2, outgained Buffalo in points, total yards, rushing and passing against a Bills team that entered Week 4 at 4-0.
The teams meet again in Week 13 on Dec. 6, giving Gardner-Johnson’s comments a ready-made rematch backdrop.