The rich got richer and the broke got even more broke after the New England Patriots traded linebacker Joshua Uche to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.
Uche being moved isn’t half as surprising as the little return the Patriots got for his services on the market. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs only parted with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to add the talented pass-rusher to their already elite defensive unit.
That bit might irk fans, but the truth is the Patriots aren’t making decisions from the position of a winning football team. They’re a rebuilding team looking to get whatever they could for a player they didn’t even expect to have this season.
Uche turned down far more lucrative offers to stay in New England on a one-year extension. Having to wait all the way until 2026 to get a return on the trade isn’t ideal, but the Patriots made sure they didn’t walk away empty-handed.
Uche was a great addition to the team, but the defense is more than capable of moving on without him. Anfernee Jennings has proven himself to be a more complete player, particularly in defending against runs on the edge. The Patriots also have their emerging stud pass-rusher, Keion White, along with second-year linebacker Ochaun Mathis, who could be featured more as a rotational piece.
As for the Chiefs, this move should be considered a major steal. They acquired a talented pass-rusher at an absurdly discounted price. Uche re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year, $3 million deal in the offseason.
Now, he’ll play for the unbeaten Chiefs for the same price. General manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid continue to play chess while everyone else plays checkers.
