On Monday, The New England Patriots traded linebacker Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 6th round draft pick.
Impact for Kansas City Chiefs
Naturally, this is the latest move for the Chiefs in their push to become the first team to finish an NFL season 17-0. With only a 2026 6th round draft pick going back to New England, this is a “low-risk, high reward” trade similar to the Chiefs move to acquire wide receiver Deandre Hopkins. Continuing on the comparison to the Hopkins trade, the potential reward for the Chiefs is a high one.
Josh Uche struggled in 2023, only recording three sacks and not creating much pressure. However, Uche was at his best just a year before in 2022 when he played alongside a star edge rusher in Matt Judon. In that season, Uche recorded career highs in Tackles, QB Hits, Sacks, and Tackles For Loss. With teams having to gameplan heavily against Judon in 2022, Uche was able to run freely through the offensive line. When Judon got hurt, Uche couldn’t make the impact, despite working next to a future star in Keion White.
Moving into a system where he’ll be playing alongside former first round pick George Karlaftis, a return to form for the Michigan draft pick is highly likely.
Impact for New England Patriots
The New England Patriots resigned Josh Uche to a “prove it” deal in the offseason. At one year, $3,000,000, the possibility of Uche being traded was always possible. With the Patriots holding a 2-6 record through eight games this season, and the 26-year-old linebacker not being under contract next season, the Patriots looked were given an easy choice. This choice might have been easier with reports that Uche was not “bought in” to what the Patriots were building in New England.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, “The Patriots didn’t feel like he wasn’t taking the coaching…” For a team trying to redefine the meaning of “The Patriot Way,” any sort of defiance or unwillingness to go with the program needed to be addressed.
A Sixth-round pick doesn’t seem as important now, and as it’s a 2026 pick, it won’t have much impact for the Patriots this season. However, the Patriots have struck gold before in the late rounds. It’s possible that they could do the same again in 2026.
