New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wasn't taking it lying down after hearing the comments that Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson made about Efton Chism III.
Late in the fourth quarter, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye engineered a game-winning comeback drive on Sunday, connecting with Chism on a beautiful 23-yard pass into the end zone. The second-year wideout, who filled in for the injured Mack Hollins, outstretched one arm and hauled in the reception to give the Patriots the lead.
After the game, Gardner-Johnson called Chism an "elevated guy," which basically insinutated that he comes from the practice squad.
"A (practice squad) guy made a helluva catch. Probably won’t happen to him again, respectfully," Gardner-Johnson said, via WROC-TV's
Thad Brown.
But the problem is that Chism isn't on the practice squad. Gardner-Johnson, on the other hand, has been on the practice squad.
“For a guy that's been on eight teams in four years? I mean, I guess he knows the drill," Vrabel fired back on The Greg Hill Show.
What did Patriots HC Mike Vrabel make of C.J. Gardner-Johnson's comments regarding Efton Chism? Vrabel on Chism: "Nobody works harder"
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) October 5, 2026
What was the biggest takeaway from the win? @GilletteStadium #NFL #fyp #Patriots pic.twitter.com/W8hxKHEuNz
Chism finished the game with two catches for 42 yards and one touchdown.
The former undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington has been one of the Patriots' top training camp performers in the last two years. He has been quietly waiting behind the scenes to get his opportunity to step into a big moment and make plays for his team. So Chism is far from a one-hit wonder, as Gardner-Johnson suggested.
He's simply a good player who waited his turn and made big plays when the moment arrived.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Mike Vrabel fires back at Bills defender for Efton Chism disrespect
