NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the Kansas City Chiefs traded for edge rusher Joshua Uche. In return, the New England Patriots will receive a 2026 sixth-round selection. The deal ends Uche’s five-year stint with the Patriots, the team that selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Uche’s best season with the Patriots was in 2022, when he had a career-high 11.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and 27 tackles. However, his performance has declined since, as he had three sacks in 15 games last season.
This year, he has two sacks in seven games with the Patriots. However, with his former team trailing in most games, the opportunity to rush the quarterback dwindles because opposing teams increase their rushing plays against them. Unfortunately, Uche is a liability in run defense because of his small frame.
Patriots trading pass rusher Josh Uche to Chiefs for a 2026 6th-round pick. (via @RapSheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/to84SIXss0
— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024
However, his specialty is what the Chiefs need even if the two-time defending Super Bowl champions have remained undefeated in seven games. They are tied for fifth-worst in sacks with 15, 20 less than the league-leading New York Giants. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have three apiece, while Tershawn Wharton has 2.5.
In five NFL seasons, Uche has 20.5 sacks, 76 tackles, and 34 quarterback hits in 58 games. Uche can make his presence felt in the Chiefs’ Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
-Lance Fernandez