Throughout Bill Belichick's tenure in New England, it became almost a tradition every offseason to see an undrafted free agent make the final 53-man roster. There were plenty of legendary stories that emerged from it, with those players becoming integral parts of what the dynastic team was trying to accomplish over their two decades of dominance.
There's a chance the Patriots will continue that tradition this season, as UDFA wide receiver Efton Chism III has made plenty of headlines just from his production in spring practices alone. The excitement for what he can do when the team returns for training camp in a few weeks has reached peak levels, and that's catching the attention of other teams.
Interestingly, however, it's not an NFL team that has expressed a desire to sign Chism if he becomes available. Instead, it's a team in the Canadian Football League that has their eyes on the spring standout, which could put pressure on the Patriots to keep him around for the season ahead or risk losing him for good.
Efton Chism has made a strong impression on football teams beyond the NFL
As the CFL nears the start of its offseason, each team lists players it is interested in for its roster, which can include names from the NFL. The B.C. Lions listed Chism on their short list of players, proving he has made waves with his early performances on the practice field, with more than just the New England coaching staff.
While it doesn't immediately pose a threat to the Patriots' potentially signing Chism, it does show that if they choose to move him to the practice squad, there's a chance he could leave for the CFL to jumpstart his career rather than wait for an opportunity in Foxboro that may never come.
There's also a chance that other teams in the league view him as a desirable player for their roster, especially since he has already been compared to the likes of Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, and Wes Welker, so placing him on the practice squad would be riskier than doing so with a typical player.
Chism's path to making the Patriots' 2025 roster won't be easy, as there are currently 12 receivers on the roster competing for up to seven spots. There are a few names already considered roster locks, like Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and rookie Kyle Williams, but beyond them, it will be a tough battle for the others to compete for.
The rookie will compete with some seasoned players like Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas, all of whom have high chances to make the team, so it won't be easy for Chism to stand out.
However, if he builds upon what he did in the spring, the Patriots would be hard-pressed not to include him on their final roster, given the new report and other teams expressing interest. Regardless, it will make for an even more intriguing training camp and preseason to watch unfold.
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