Joshua Uche update confirms the Patriots fleeced the Chiefs in mid-season trade

When the trade deadline was nearing this season, the Patriots were expected to be one of the teams actively engaged in trading away or for players to help their roster. Despite that projection, the new regime only traded one player, linebacker Joshua Uche, to the Chiefs for what was initially considered a low return: a 2026 sixth-round pick.

It wasn't what fans were hoping for, mainly due to it not being a pick for next year, but it was right on par with what analysts believed Uche would go for this year. He likely would have been of higher value during the 2023 season when Bill Belichick was reportedly nearing a deal with the Lions, only to back out at the last minute. But we'll never really know what Detroit was willing to give up for Uche.

Regardless, moving on from the former Michigan Wolverine felt like only a matter of time as the Jerod Mayo regime brought him back on a one-year deal. It was a prove-it contract, and Uche didn't revert to the player we saw in 2022. So, that meant he would move on to greener pastures in Kansas City.

And so far, it's looking like the Patriots won the trade, even if it wasn't what they should have gotten in return.

Joshua Uche's time with the Chiefs is not going any better than the start of the season with the Patriots

There was a lot of hype around the reigning Super Bowl Champions acquiring Uche despite his underwhelming performances over the last two seasons. The Chiefs needed some help on their defensive line, and there were high hopes that Uche would be the piece they were missing.

That hasn't been the case so far with Uche, however. He has only been on the field for 37 defensive snaps and was a healthy scratch for their Week 14 matchup with the Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

Given that he was acquired at the end of October, it's not a great sign that he's been so limited and is now being benched early in December. Why he was made a healthy scratch wasn't specified, but it usually means the player isn't performing well during practice or didn't live up to expectations the week before.

Because he had been disappointing this year in New England, it's not exactly surprising to hear that he's not thriving with the Chiefs, even if they are a much better team than the Patriots. Uche had a lot of promise, and his 2022 season was one to remember, recording 11.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, nine tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles.

But every other season, he's only racked up three sacks or less and not making much of an impact during games. Despite the change of scenery, the story remains the same with Uche, which is disappointing. The only good thing is that the Patriots will benefit from an additional pick in an upcoming draft.

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