Young Patriots WR Has Massive Opportunity To Crack Roster On Special Teams
Young Patriots WR Has Massive Opportunity To Crack Roster On Special Teams
After a more-than-successful rookie season, the New England Patriots need to get more out of this player as a returner.Ethan Hurwitz|
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New England PatriotsNew England Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer mentioned last week at mandatory minicamp that every running back and wide receiver on the roster will get a shot to return kicks. For second-year wideout Efton Chism III, that's unbelievable news.
The 24-year-old Chism broke onto the scene last summer as a receiver, and was used in brief stints as a kick returner. In eight games, he had 16 returns for 383 yards as part of a ever-revolving door at the position. Now as the Patriots head into the 2026 season with a competition at wide receiver and a clear need at kick returner, Chism's path to make the team become a lot clearer.
Right now, Chism is really competing with DeMario Douglas for the slot receiver role on the roster. Now, there's always the possibility that the Patriots keep both players around, but it doesn't feel like both of them would actually factor into the offense together.
For Chism, his best shot at making an imprint on the Patriots is with the ball in his hands on special teams.
"I definitely believe that we can improve on the kickoff return game," Springer told reporters last week. "Big emphasis on kickoff return."
Last year, the Patriots had their kickoff return guys to open up the season. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson broke onto the scene with a 100-yard return touchdown in the preseason opener, while Antonio Gibson took one to the house in a thrilling Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins.
But after Gibson tore his ACL a few weeks later, the Patriots struggled to nail down who would be heading back there to catch kickoffs. Chism did it. Wide receiver Kyle Williams did it. Veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson did it. None of it really turned into a successful operation.
Can Chism Impress For A Second-Straight Summer?
Chism has the athleticism to return kicks. In college, he had 31 kick returns for 651 yards with Eastern Washington. That's really how he'll get a fair crack at the roster. With a bunched-up receiver room, esepcially after the Patriots brought in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this past offseason, Chism might not be able to have the same impressive preseason that he did as a rookie.
"Understanding the details a little bit better," wide receivers coach Todd Downing said about Chism. "I think he had some exposure last year when Mack (Hollins) went out of moving around in different spots. That’s accelerating and improving as well this offseason. Being able to walk in and know what a concept is or what the formation is without having to think about it is going to help him play faster when the ball is snapped."
Add in the fact that the team signed four receivers in undrafted free agency, and his opportunities in the passing game are slim right now. If Chism wants to remain with New England, a lot of that will come from his abilities as a returner.
"If you're a running back or a receiver, you'll have a chance (to return kicks)," Springer said. "All those guys will have a chance. Every single one of them is gonna get the opportunity to return the ball, whether it's in joint practices, preseason."
"A Guy That's Gonna Make Every Catch"
At this point in time, Chism has been working with the second-string offense during the spring practices. There have been times that he's been on the top unit, but that road is a bit murkier when the regular season comes around.
It feels like a match made in Patriots heaven. A fan favorite receiver is fighting for a spot on the team, and the team has a glaring need that Chism can excel at. We still have plenty of time to go before roster cutdown day and when the Patriots take their trip to Seattle for Week 1. If Chism wants to be on that flight to the Pacific Northwest, it's clear where he'll need to impress.
"Definitely a guy that's gonna make every catch and make really good decisions back there," Springer said when asked about what he's looking for in returners. "Not a lot of cuts, not a lot of movement. Not a lot of reading. It's one read and go, and a guy who's confident doing that."
Published Jun 18, 2026 | Modified Jun 18, 2026
ETHAN HURWITZEthan Hurwitz is a writer for Patriots on SI. He works to find out-of-the-box stories that change the way you look at sports. He’s covered the behind-the-scenes discussions behind Ivy League football, how a stuffed animal helped a softball team’s playoff chances and tracked down a fan who caught a historic hockey stick. Ethan graduated from Quinnipiac University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism, and oversaw The Quinnipiac Chronicle’s sports coverage for almost three years.
Follow HurwitzSportsBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
