NFL Writer Urges Mike Vrabel To Give This Patriots Player A Chance

The New England Patriots lost a game they should have won on Sunday at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a turnover-laden performance, the Pats put together an effort that left fans frustrated and New England’s coaching staff wondering about personnel adjustments for Week 4. Who should get less opportunities for the Patriots, and who should head coach Mike Vrabel ensure is more involved?

FanSided’s Michael DeVito has an idea that he feels would rejuvenate New England’s receiver situation. “One area that continues to be deficient is the wide receivers’ production,” DeVito wrote.

“On too many plays when Drake Maye actually does have time to pass, he’s forced to take a sack or throw a ball away because receivers aren’t getting separation. Fortunately, Vrabel has a possible, at least partial solution in hand right now. It’s rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III, for whom expectations were high before the start of the season.”

“Mike Vrabel should activate (Chism) for the Week 4 game against Carolina,” DeVito continued. “The lack of production generally from the wide receiving corps cries out for giving Efton Chism III an opportunity. At Eastern Washington, he was a catching machine who averaged 10 catches per game and caught 13 scores in 2024. … He catches the ball when it’s thrown to him, and he did that in the preseason from backup quarterbacks, not from the starting quarterback, Drake Maye. In addition, he proved he could make good things happen when he catches the ball, like getting yards after the catch and scoring touchdowns.”

Chism’s outstanding preseason has left fans wondering why he still hasn’t been used through three weeks of the regular season. With Hunter Henry being Maye’s most reliable target so far this season, none of New England’s receivers have stood out as excellent options on a week-to-week basis, especially from the slot.

DeMario Douglas has the potential to be that guy, but he hasn’t gotten open enough to begin the year, and a crucial blunder in Sunday’s game may have damaged his stock for the time being.

The Pats don’t have a ton to lose by activating Chism and giving him a chance. He wouldn’t be taking reps or targets away from any receivers who have been wildly productive. New England needs a spark, and it does make sense for Vrabel to have Chism on the roster in Week 4.