When the New England Patriots retained Josh Uche last offseason on a one-year deal for just $5 million, fans were excited. In 2022, just two seasons prior, the former Michigan Wolverine had a whopping 11.5 sacks opposite star Matt Judon.
Despite a down '23, he seemed sure to bounce back under a new coaching staff in 2024.
In the end, Uche would notch just two sacks for the Patriots in the 2024 season before being traded to the Chiefs for a sixth-round pick at the end of October. He would play six games and not record a sack. In the offseason, Uche signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.
Josh Uche is PFF's highest touted player so far in 2025
Because it's only been two games, the sample size is small, but Josh Uche has thrived in the Eagles' system. The 2-0 Birds have allowed 18,5 PPG through their first two matchups, and he has thrived for the unit in limited snaps.
Although he has not recorded a sack yet this season, he is PFF's highest-graded edge defender by overall grade, and has the fifth highest pass rush grade at 90.4. His run defense grade, coming in at 77.8, also ranks in the top ten in the league for his position.
While the Patriots' edge defenders are in a better spot than they were last year, it makes you wonder if they wish they had kept the former second-round pick around. The team found K'Lavon Chaisson as a young but experienced speed rusher to fill the role Uche previously occupied, and Harold Landry was the proven veteran signing.
No doubt, each is playing well for the team with the most sacks in football, but with Keion White dealing with an illness, their depth is thinner than one might like. Undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder and end of the roster man Cory Durden got extended snaps against Miami in White's absence, and Anfernee Jennings returned from his healthy scratch status in Week 1.
Given their inconsistencies in depth, it's easy to understand why the Patriots might wish they had an extra speed rusher like PFF darling Josh Uche right now.