Efton Chism III’s NFL rise reached a defining moment on October 4, 2026, when the New England Patriots wide receiver caught a spectacular 23-yard, one-handed touchdown from Drake Maye with 1:50 remaining to give New England a 27-26 lead over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots went on to win 29-26, handing Buffalo its first loss of the season. Chism entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2025 after a record-setting career at Eastern Washington, making his latest performance an important step in his development.

Introduction

Efton Chism III’s path to the NFL has been anything but conventional.

The New England Patriots wide receiver was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, he signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent and had to fight for his place on the roster.

More than a year later, Chism has produced the kind of NFL moment that can change a young player’s career.

On October 4, 2026, Chism caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills. The spectacular one-handed reception gave New England a 27-26 lead before the Patriots completed a 29-26 comeback victory in Buffalo.

The catch immediately became one of the defining plays of the Patriots’ season so far.

It also put Chism, who had a relatively small NFL role before the game, firmly into the national conversation.

Calling him an established NFL star would still be premature. His professional sample remains limited. But his journey from undrafted rookie to game-winning contributor is becoming one of the more interesting young-player stories in New England.

What Happened to Efton Chism III Against the Bills?

The Patriots entered Week 4 at 1-2, while Buffalo was undefeated at 3-0.

The game eventually turned into a dramatic AFC East battle.

New England trailed Buffalo 26-21 late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Drake Maye then led the Patriots on a game-winning drive.

Chism became the unlikely hero.

Earlier in the drive, Maye connected with Chism for a 19-yard completion. Later, with the Patriots needing a touchdown, Maye rolled to his right under pressure and threw toward Chism running downfield.

Chism made the play.

He extended one hand and secured the football for a 23-yard touchdown, putting New England ahead 27-26 with 1:50 left. The Patriots then converted a two-point attempt to Rhamondre Stevenson, extending the lead to 29-26.

Buffalo had one final possession, but Patriots safety Craig Woodson intercepted Josh Allen, ending the Bills’ comeback attempt and securing New England’s victory.

The Patriots’ official game coverage identified Chism’s catch as the play of the game.

Why the Catch Was So Important

The significance of the play goes beyond the highlight.

Chism had entered the game with a very limited offensive role in 2026.

NFL’s player statistics show that before the Buffalo game he had only two regular-season receptions for minus-1 yard in 2026. His previous NFL production had also been modest: three receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown during eight games as a rookie in 2025.

Then came the biggest catch of his young career.

The opportunity partly developed because Patriots receiver Mack Hollins left the game with a calf injury. Patriots.com specifically noted that Chism was on the field because of Hollins’ injury and that head coach Mike Vrabel viewed the moment as an example of a player taking advantage of an opportunity.

That is an important part of the story.

Chism did not enter 2026 with a guaranteed starring role. He had to wait for opportunities and then prove he could make something happen when those opportunities arrived.

Against Buffalo, he did exactly that.

Key Details About Efton Chism III

Here are the most important facts about Chism’s NFL journey:

• Position: Wide receiver
• NFL team: New England Patriots
• NFL number: No. 86
• College: Eastern Washington
• NFL entry: Undrafted free agent in 2025
• Signed by New England: May 9, 2025
• College receptions: 346
• College receiving yards: 3,852
• College receiving touchdowns: 37
• 2025 NFL season: 3 receptions, 75 yards, 1 touchdown
• 2025 kickoff returns: 16 for 383 yards
• 2026 Week 4: Game-winning 23-yard touchdown against Buffalo

The Patriots’ official profile says Chism finished his Eastern Washington career with 346 receptions, 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns. His senior season included 120 receptions, 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns.

From Eastern Washington Record-Setter to NFL Undrafted Free Agent

Chism’s NFL story becomes more interesting when his college career is considered.

At Eastern Washington, he was not an unknown player.

He became one of the most productive receivers in the program’s history.

His senior season was particularly impressive. Chism caught 120 passes for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns, breaking the school’s single-season receptions record previously held by Cooper Kupp.

His overall Eastern Washington numbers were even more impressive:

346 receptions, 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Those numbers helped earn Chism First-Team FCS All-American recognition and invitations to the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl, according to the Patriots.

Yet despite that production, no NFL team selected him during the 2025 draft.

That meant Chism had to choose his professional opportunity after the draft rather than having a team choose him during it.

The Patriots Saw Something in Chism

New England signed Chism on May 9, 2025.

For an undrafted player, getting an opportunity is one thing. Holding onto it is another.

Chism quickly began making an impression during Patriots training camp.

New England’s own training-camp coverage described him as a player who was making waves because of his versatility, attention to detail and work ethic.

His preseason performances strengthened his case.

He demonstrated that his college production could translate into a professional environment while also showing value beyond simply catching passes.

That mattered because special teams can provide an important route onto an NFL roster for young receivers.

Chism ultimately made the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster in 2025.

For an undrafted rookie, that was already a significant achievement.

His Rookie Season Was Not an Immediate Breakout

Chism’s first NFL season did not resemble the career of a traditional high-profile rookie receiver.

He appeared in eight games and finished with:

• 3 receptions
• 75 receiving yards
• 1 receiving touchdown
• 16 kickoff returns
• 383 kickoff-return yards

NFL’s career statistics confirm those numbers.

His role was therefore more developmental than star-level.

But that first season gave him something valuable: NFL experience.

He learned the pace of professional football, continued contributing on special teams and remained in the Patriots’ plans entering the following season.

Chism Returned for the 2026 Season

The Patriots retained Chism for the 2026 season, giving him another opportunity to compete for offensive snaps.

His early regular-season production was modest.

NFL’s game logs show that he had one reception for minus-2 yards against Pittsburgh and one reception for one yard against Jacksonville during the first three weeks.

That makes his Buffalo performance even more striking.

Just one week after the Patriots suffered a 35-6 loss to Jacksonville, Chism was involved in one of the most important plays of New England’s season.

It illustrates how quickly an NFL player’s role can change.

A player who had barely been involved offensively suddenly found himself catching the go-ahead touchdown against an undefeated division rival.

The Cooper Kupp Connection

One of the most interesting elements of Chism’s background is his connection to Cooper Kupp’s Eastern Washington legacy.

Kupp was also a standout receiver at Eastern Washington before becoming an NFL star.

Chism eventually broke Kupp’s school record for single-season receptions.

The comparison is intriguing, but it should not be overstated.

Kupp was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, while Chism entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

Their professional careers are therefore at very different stages.

Still, Chism’s success at Eastern Washington demonstrated that the program continues to produce receivers capable of making an impact beyond the FCS level.

What the Patriots Have Said About Chism

New England’s coverage of Chism has consistently emphasized his versatility and willingness to do more than simply play receiver.

During his 2025 training-camp push, Patriots.com highlighted his work ethic and ability to contribute in multiple areas.

Following the Buffalo game, Chism also discussed the touchdown through the lens of opportunity.

The Patriots quoted him explaining that he saw the ball in the air and recognized that Maye had given him an opportunity to make the play.

Vrabel’s reaction was equally important because it highlighted the larger lesson from the play: Chism was ready when circumstances gave him more responsibility.

That is often how undrafted players build NFL careers.

Why Efton Chism’s Rise Matters for New England

The Patriots are building around quarterback Drake Maye, and young offensive contributors are particularly valuable as the team develops its passing game.

Chism’s emergence gives New England another potential option.

The Buffalo game also demonstrated an important characteristic: he can make a difficult catch in a high-pressure situation.

The Patriots do not necessarily need Chism to become the team’s primary receiver.

Instead, his value could come from becoming a reliable complementary piece who can line up in different spots, contribute on special teams and take advantage of favorable matchups.

His size and college background make his development particularly interesting.

At this point, however, the evidence supports calling him an emerging contributor, not an established NFL superstar.

The Bigger Lesson From Chism’s NFL Journey

The most compelling part of Efton Chism III’s story is the number of stages he has already passed.

He went from:

Eastern Washington standout → undrafted free agent → training-camp surprise → NFL roster player → special-teams contributor → young receiver seeking opportunities → game-winning touchdown hero.

That progression is meaningful because undrafted players have less margin for error.

A drafted receiver typically arrives with an organizational investment tied to his draft selection.

An undrafted player must repeatedly prove that he belongs.

Chism has done that.

He earned a contract.

He earned a roster spot.

He earned NFL playing time.

And now he has produced a signature moment against one of the Patriots’ biggest division rivals.

What Happens Next for Efton Chism III?

The next challenge is consistency.

One spectacular touchdown can change a player’s visibility, but it does not guarantee a larger role every week.

Chism’s future playing time will depend on several factors, including the health of the Patriots’ receiving corps, his performance in practice and games, and how the coaching staff evaluates his role within the offense.

The immediate situation is particularly interesting because Mack Hollins left the Buffalo game with a calf injury. If Hollins misses time, Chism could have another opportunity to receive additional offensive snaps.

The Patriots’ official Week 4 coverage also shows that the team is already highlighting Chism heavily following the victory, including his postgame media availability and multiple features centered on his touchdown.

That does not guarantee a breakout season.

But it does mean the organization is giving him attention after a major performance.

Is Efton Chism III Really Becoming a Patriots Star?

That depends on how the word “star” is defined.

If it means a player who has already established himself as one of the NFL’s best receivers, the answer is no—not yet.

His NFL production remains limited, and the Buffalo touchdown was only one game.

If “star” means a young player whose profile has suddenly risen because of a major performance, then Chism certainly fits that description.

His game-winning touchdown against Buffalo was spectacular, timely and important.

More importantly, it came after a long period of earning opportunities rather than receiving them automatically.

The next several weeks will provide the real test.

If Chism begins consistently producing receptions, yards and touchdowns while maintaining his special-teams value, the Patriots may have found something valuable in a player who entered the league without hearing his name called on draft weekend.

Conclusion

Efton Chism III’s NFL rise is still being written.

He was a record-setting receiver at Eastern Washington, but the 2025 NFL Draft passed without his selection. The Patriots gave him an opportunity as an undrafted free agent, and he gradually worked his way onto the roster.

His rookie season was modest but productive enough to keep him in the organization.

Then, in Week 4 of the 2026 season, everything changed for a moment.

With New England trailing Buffalo late in the fourth quarter, Chism made a spectacular one-handed 23-yard touchdown catch from Drake Maye to put the Patriots ahead.

New England finished the job, winning 29-26 and moving to 2-2.

For now, the most accurate description of Chism is not a proven NFL superstar.

It is something potentially more interesting:

an undrafted young receiver who has earned another opportunity—and has shown that he can make the biggest play when that opportunity arrives.

FAQs

Who is Efton Chism III?

Efton Chism III is a wide receiver for the New England Patriots. He played college football at Eastern Washington and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2025.

Was Efton Chism III drafted?

No. Chism went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and subsequently signed with the New England Patriots as a rookie free agent.

What happened to Efton Chism against the Bills?

Chism caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 29-26 victory over Buffalo on October 4, 2026. The catch gave New England a 27-26 lead.

Was Efton Chism’s touchdown catch one-handed?

Yes. Chism made the go-ahead touchdown reception with one hand while running downfield against Buffalo coverage. The Patriots officially featured the play as their Week 4 play of the game.

Where did Efton Chism play college football?

Chism played at Eastern Washington University. He finished his college career with 346 receptions, 3,852 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns.

Did Efton Chism break a Cooper Kupp record?

Yes. During his senior season at Eastern Washington, Chism caught 120 passes, breaking the school’s single-season receptions record previously held by Cooper Kupp.

Is Efton Chism now a Patriots star?

He is an emerging Patriots contributor, but it is too early to call him an established NFL star. His Buffalo performance was a major breakthrough, but he still needs to demonstrate consistent production over a larger sample of games.

What is next for Efton Chism III?

His next opportunity will depend on the Patriots’ offensive plans and the health of the receiving corps. Mack Hollins left the Buffalo game with a calf injury, potentially creating additional opportunities for Chism if Hollins misses time.