Patriots rookie receiver shines in playoff win despite missed trick play

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Patriots rookie receiver shines in playoff win despite missed trick play

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Mon, Jan 12, 2026 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – All season long, Efton Chism III was ready.

The undrafted rookie receiver worked hard to make the Patriots ’ 53-man roster. He was ready for his moment when the team placed veteran receiver Mack Hollins on the injured reserve.

After finishing the regular season strong, Chism was ready for fireworks in his playoff debut on Sunday night. Although the rookie was kicking himself for not completing a pass to Drake Maye on a trick play they had been working on, Chism was all smiles following the team’s wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers .

“Awesome. Super blessed. Super thankful,” Chism said. “We have a great group of guys from the top down. It’s a blessing coming to work when you have people around you that support you and want to see you succeed, it’s awesome.”

For most of this season, Chism was either inactive or working as the Patriots ’ kickoff returner.

When Hollins suffered an abdominal injury, the Patriots pushed Chism and fellow rookie Kyle Williams up the depth chart. Chism caught two passes for 40 yards and a touchdown in Week 17 and then caught a 35-yard pass in the regular-season finale.

On Sunday, both rookies made an impact on the Patriots’ first scoring drive of the night.

On fourth-and-4, Williams caught a 7-yard pass to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, on second-and-18, Chism caught a 20-yard pass. Those efforts set up Andy Borregales ’ first field goal.

Stefon Diggs said he’s watched Chism make plays in practice all season.

“Chism been putting on display all year. I’m super proud of him,” Diggs said. “He’s just being a young dog. I called him a dog earlier. I was like, ‘Just keep being that, man. I’m super proud of you.’”

There was one play Chism wanted back on that drive, however.

At 1:48 of the first quarter, Josh McDaniels called a trick play that the team had been working on. Rhamondre Stevenson took a handoff and pitched the ball to Chism. The rookie was supposed to throw the ball to Maye, who was open. This play was reminiscent of the ‘Philly Special’ that Philadelphia ran against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Although Maye was open, Chism’s pass sailed incomplete.

“Bad throw. Bad throw, man,” Chism said. “I’m going to be mad probably until Wednesday about that one. Definitely wish I could get that one back.”

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