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The Kansas City Chiefs have made another trade according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, among others.
On October 28, Rapoport relayed that “the [New England] Patriots are trading pass-rusher Josh Uche to the Chiefs, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.” Later, he added that Kansas City is sending a 2026 sixth-round draft pick in return for Uche.
This trade compensation was confirmed by FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, and the aforementioned Garafolo also reminded that “Josh Uche turned down significantly more money elsewhere as a free agent in March to stay with the Patriots, saying, ‘There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I can’t envision myself playing for another team.’”
Uche was selected 60th overall in 2020 and has never played a snap for anyone other than New England. He recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022 and has 20.5 sacks on his career. The 26-year-old has also accumulated 19 career tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles and 34 QB hits according to Pro Football Reference.
Chiefs Beat Writer Provides ‘Couple of Notes’ on Low-Risk Josh Uche Trade
After the deal was reported, Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick followed up with a “couple of notes” on the move.
“[Uche’s] contract [is] just $1.3 million plus $30k roster bonus per game, so the cap impact will be negligible factoring in who is waived/released to make room,” he stated, adding: “If [the] Chiefs don’t resign [Uche], he’s comp pick eligible and could bring back a 7th vs. 6th going to NE.”
In other words, the Patriots pass rusher will be cost-effective in more ways than one, making this a low-risk flyer for general manager Brett Veach ahead of the three-peat attempt. And, according to Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney, this coaching staff will finally get their hands on a prospect that they originally liked in the draft.
“The Chiefs had an interest in Josh Uche coming out of Michigan in 2020,” Sweeney said on October 28. “Eventually found his way to Kansas City, anyway.”
Josh Uche Chiefs Trade Might Hint Charles Omenihu Is Still a Ways Away From Returning
The Chiefs have two long-term injuries at defensive end that they’ve managed to navigate throughout the year — Charles Omenihu and BJ Thompson.
The former is eventually expected to return after a long road back from a torn ACL suffered during last postseason’s AFC championship game, while it’s unclear if Thompson (seizure/cardiac arrest) will retake the field in 2024.
Either way, these two injuries have left KC short at edge rusher with Mike Danna also working his way through a pectoral injury, and the Uche move certainly hints that Omenihu could still miss several more weeks of action.
The last time head coach Andy Reid was asked about Omenihu was on October 3, and the veteran pass rusher didn’t sound particularly close to coming back. “[It’ll be] a little bit here,” the Chiefs HC said, regarding Omenihu retaking the field — which translates to a long while in Andy Reid speak.
Ahead of Week 1, the Chiefs traded for Cameron Thomas in order to address this need, but the former Arizona Cardinal has only really factored on special teams so far with just six snaps on the defensive side. 2023 first rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah has helped fill the void, along with Chris Jones playing some defensive end and Malik Herring serving as a rotational cog behind George Karlaftis, but the position is definitely more shallow than usual.
Even if Danna returns, Uche will be a welcomed addition with Omenihu likely on the shelf until a potential playoff run.
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