Josh Uche is indeed on the move. The fifth-year edge rusher is being traded from the Patriots to the Chiefs, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. 
Kansas City will send New England a 2026 sixth-round pick, Rapoport adds. That level of compensation comes as little surprise given Uche’s status as a pending free agent. He was a healthy scratch yesterday, an indication that a trade was possible. After the Patriots elected not to pull of a trade in his case last year, he will now be on the move.
Nearing the end of his rookie contract last year, Uche drew trade interest and the Pats nearly worked out a deal ahead of the deadline. Instead, he remained in place and ultimately re-signed on a one-year deal. That pact included a base salary of only $1.3MM, and with much of that total already being paid out this will be a very low-cost addition on the Chiefs’ part. The league’s only remaining undefeated team will now have another rotational option along the edge.
Uche’s best year came in 2022 when he posted 11.5 sacks. Considering he only logged a snap share of 38% that season, expectations were raised for continued production or at least a heavier workload moving forward. Neither has turned out to be the case, with the Michigan product totaling five sacks since the start of last season and logging a similar snap count to the earlier portion of his career. He will be viewed as a third-down specialist upon arrival with Kansas City.
The Chiefs have of course continued to rely on Chris Jones as a foundational contributor in the pass-rush department. Along the edge, the team has Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu along with recent draftees George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Uche will aim to carve out a role as part of that group while attempting to boost his free agent stock. For Kansas City, meanwhile, this move marks another midseason addition (following the DeAndre Hopkins trade) as a third straight Super Bowl title is sought.
The Chiefs entered Monday near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, so any further moves could be challenging unless they were also of the short-term, low-cost variety. Kansas City has been linked to pursuing a cornerback in the wake of Jaylen Watson‘s (likely season-ending) injury, and it will be interesting to see if anything happens at that position before the November 5 deadline.
Kansas City currently sits 22nd in the NFL with 15 sacks through seven games. Improving in that department could provide a notable boost to the league’s No. 5 scoring defense, and Uche will look to chip in on that front. At 2-6 on the year, meanwhile, New England could be a team to watch from a seller’s perspective regarding further moves.
Tremendous job by the Chiefs on buying low on guys who are disgruntled and want out of horrible teams/situations.
Uche will want to improve his FA stock and will be a nice addition to this team.
This defense got better.
Uche wasn’t disgruntled. He doesn’t re-sign with New England last year if he wants out of a horrible situation. He wasn’t used well this year by the coaching staff, and played a pretty low percentage of plays compared to his talent. So, yeah, this move probably helps him in that sense. Weird part of this trade is it just cost a 6th. I expected about a 4 or a 5 given his low cap number, youth, and potential upside. Bad trade for patriots
Thats a solid move.
Im not buying the Chiefs being the NFL’s best this year. The Hopkins trade didn’t move the needle for me at all.
But this can help an already great D.
As a Bills fan – yuck. I hate it. 🙂
I have a feeling they will trade their 4th round pick (projected to be the last pick of the 4th round according to Tankathon) for Dionte Johnson.
I’m not sure how much they’re under the cap, but I think if they land Dionte along with Uche, they will head back to the Super Bowl again.
Defense got better, WR corps got better as well if they get Dionte.
I don’t see how Johnson fetches a 4th when he is on an expiring contract. He’s decent but there’s a reason the Steelers dumped him.
I know you’re just being a hater (not an insult; they’re a Bills rival so you should be a hater), but the Chiefs are the NFL’s best as of right now. Defending Super Bowl champs and 7-0. Every other AFC team has at least two losses. And the Hopkins trade opens up the offense. Only three targets yesterday but Kelce had his best game of the season.
I hope the Bills crush them this year but the Chiefs are the best until someone beats them and takes it away. Great win in Seattle, btw.
Believe it or not – if I am capable of being objective. I think there is congruence in all of my statements. Even criticism for the Bills. I am not a homer.
The Chiefs may be undefeated, but they are not anywhere near their heights.
They are weaker. Maholmes is having to work so much harder. When the face better competition – it will show.
Reminds me of the Titans from 2-3 years ago as a one seed. Sure, they earned it…but cmon. They were the weakest 1 seed in recent memory.
I’m not at all saying they are bad, nowhere did I say that – just not the powerhouse that they are getting credit for. I might say the Bills are trending up. I still think Baltimore is the best team, despite a loss yesterday to CLEVELAND (gasp).
The entire AFC is down right now, and I wholeheartedly think the Bills are getting healthy and are they could easily be 8-2 by the time they two meet.
You are what your record says you are……Chiefs are the best
Keep buying that trophy.
Everyone gets mad at the Chiefs for these trades, but really anyone could attain these players if they wanted. The Chiefs constantly collect talent throughout the course of the entire year and then win. It worked for the 49ers before injuries took their toll. It worked for the Rams in the short term and got them a Super Bowl. When will teams learn that making trades is necessary in order to win? Go back and look at most SB teams made at least one in-season trade. Eagles traded for Jay Ajayi and he helped them win a SB. Bills traded for Cornelius Bennett, Michael Haynes to the Raiders, Rams traded for Von Miller, Broncos traded for Vernon Davis, Chiefs traded for Hardman last year and he caught the Super Bowl winning touchdown.
I’m shocked neither DET/ATL couldn’t afford this price tag in terms of draft compensation. Guess they really didn’t think Uche fit their scheme/concept.