Bills’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Efton Chism’s game-winning TD: ‘Probably won’t hear from him again’

Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said he didn’t want to get into any "bulletin-board material" after Buffalo’s 29-26 loss to the Patriots.

Then CJGJ took shots at the Patriots and Efton Chism, who caught the go-ahead touchdown.

Chism caught two passes, both on the go-ahead drive: a 19-yard grab and, three plays later, the catch of his football life so far. He made a one-handed stab of Drake Maye’s pass and hauled it in, despite coverage blanketed all over Chism.

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS.

What a catch by Efton Chism III to take the lead!@NEvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/DtIZoenYNL

— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026

Chism made the most of his opportunity after Mack Hollins’ injury, playing a season-high 34 snaps on offense and hauling in only his second career TD. The Patriots held on for a massive, perhaps season-shifting victory.

Watch Mike Vrabel’s greeting of Chism after the game:

Keep fighting 😤@budlight | #NEPatspic.twitter.com/NhBE4aukHp

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 4, 2026

Consider Gardner-Johnson relatively unimpressed.

"Elevated guy made a hell of a catch," Gardner-Johnson said of Chism, even though he was not elevated from the Patriots’ practice squad. He’s been on New England’s 53-man roster since August cutdowns.

Gardner-Johnson seemed to be speaking more of Chism’s relative anonymity outside of New England, suggesting this might be Chism’s career high-water mark.

"Probably won’t hear from him again, respectfully," Gardner-Johnson added. "I say that with a lot of confidence."

Naturally, Chism was more upbeat postgame, grinning through his entire answer about the final catch.

"When I am out there, and the ball’s in the air, I kind of black out," he said. "I am kind of in that little flow state. I saw it in the air, Drake gave me that opportunity, and I just … you gotta take advantage of those opportunities, you never know when they’re gonna come."

In Gardner-Johnson’s mind, Chism might not have too many more opportunities. CJGJ admitted the Bills blew their opportunity Sunday, even if giving the Patriots credit for the win was a bridge too far for him.

"They won the game, whatever," Gardner-Johnson said. "They didn’t do s*** better than us. We gotta play better."

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.