The Patriots’ receiver room looks a lot deeper now, and that’s exactly why Efton Chism III is suddenly staring at an ugly roster battle.
New England enters the 2026 regular season with more confidence on offense than it had a year ago, and the offseason additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are a huge part of that. Those two sit at the top of the depth chart, and with the rest of the group already in place, the Patriots have a much stronger wideout rotation than they did before.
That depth, though, leaves little room for everyone else. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton is urging New England to move on from Chism, writing, “Even if the New England Patriots trade Kayshon Boutte ahead of final roster cuts, Efton Chism III will probably be on the outside looking in at five wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart,” Moton writes.
Brown and Doubs are clearly the top two options, but the names behind them make Chism’s path even tougher. Mack Hollins brings a veteran presence and does the unglamorous work that keeps him in the mix.
DeMario Douglas and Kayson Boutte have both shown enough in their Patriots careers to remain part of the conversation, even if either could theoretically be traded. Kyle Williams, a second-year draft pick who showed promise last season, also appears safe for now despite a somewhat uneven year.
Put it all together, and Chism looks like the No. 7 receiver at best. That’s a brutal spot to be in, especially when teams usually don’t carry seven wideouts. There’s also the possibility that he could wind up back on the practice squad after cutdowns.
For Chism to stick, something has to change. A trade would need to open a lane, or he’d have to be so good in camp and preseason that the Patriots feel forced to keep six or more receivers. Without that, the numbers just don’t work.
That’s why releasing Chism is the logical move, even if it’s an unfortunate one for a fan favorite.
In Other News…
Patriots Preseason Opener Ended With A Sideline Scene Nobody Expected
The Patriots preseason opener ended with an unexpected sideline scene, one that had little to do with the scoreboard and everything to do with concern for Indianapolis special teams coordinator Brian Mason. On the final play, Mason was knocked down in a collision near the sideline and needed attention on the field before heading to the locker room for evaluation.
The Colts have not said how serious the knee injury might be, and the next step is more testing. For a game that was supposed to be about young players and August evaluations, the closing moments turned into a reminder of how quickly a routine preseason night can change.
Patriots Backup Battle Already Has A Few Names Rising Fast
The Patriots preseason opener offered the first real snapshot of a roster race that was already tilted toward the second and third units, and the 13-13 tie came with no starters on the field. That made the night about backup jobs, with the running back depth chart drawing extra attention after Terrell Jennings was placed on injured reserve and a group of young players got a chance to show where they stand.
Among the early standouts were Jam Miller, Kyle Williams, Brayden Swinson and K.J. Britt, each flashing enough to get noticed in a game built on first impressions. Not everyone helped his case, though, as Lan Larison and Gabe Jacas had quieter outings, and the broader picture remains unfinished with the preseason just beginning and several roster decisions still to come
Vrabels New Tommy DeVito Nickname Will Get Patriots Fans Talking
Tommy DeVito has already found a familiar landing spot in New England, where the backup quarterback is trying to carve out a role after being claimed off waivers by the Patriots last summer. But now he has a new label to go with the new setting, as Mike Vrabel has started calling him Two Chains, a fresh wrinkle for a player who once became better known around the league as Tommy Cutlets during his Giants days.
The nickname change is the sort of small, offbeat detail that tends to follow DeVito wherever he goes, and it has already drawn a reaction beyond Foxborough. Some Giants fans and commentators have brushed it off as less fitting than the old one, which only adds to the kind of attention DeVito seems to attract even in a backup job. For the Patriots, it is another reminder that Vrabel is willing to put his own stamp on the quarterback room, even if the new nickname is the part that gets people talking first.