The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs, just a day after he was inactive for the team’s victory over the New York Jets in Week 8. The Patriots are set to receive a sixth-round draft pick in 2026 from the Chiefs, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Uche’s name had surfaced in trade discussions leading up to the upcoming NFL trade deadline on November 5. The 26-year-old linebacker is moving from a struggling 2-6 Patriots team to a Chiefs squad that remains undefeated and has strong Super Bowl ambitions.
Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Uche played four seasons at the University of Michigan before joining the Patriots. His rookie season saw him participating in nine games, with one sack to his name. However, he had a breakout year in 2022, recording a career-high 11.5 sacks over 15 games, along with two forced fumbles and 27 combined tackles. His performance benefited from the presence of star pass-rusher Matthew Judon, but Uche’s effectiveness diminished in 2023 with only three sacks over 15 games. He notched two sacks in seven games this year but saw his playing time decline, including 40 defensive snaps in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers.
This season, the Chiefs have managed just 15 sacks, tying them with the Patriots, Steelers, and Cardinals for 24th in the league. Kansas City is optimistic that a new environment and potential playoff run will help Uche regain his form from 2022.
Throughout his five-year career, Uche has accumulated 20.5 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 58 games. He re-signed with the Patriots during the offseason on a one-year, $3 million deal after reportedly declining a two-year, $15 million offer from another team.
The trade of Uche may signal the beginning of a flurry of transactions for the rebuilding Patriots, who are reportedly open to considering various trade proposals as the deadline approaches.