The New England Patriots had a relatively quiet NFL trade deadline, despite numerous rumors about potential moves.
They refrained from fully embracing a seller’s role but did make one notable trade before the deadline by sending linebacker Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Uche, who showed promise as a pass-rusher during his time in New England, struggled to secure a consistent role with the team. Rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency, the Patriots traded him for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
At the time, the return was seen as underwhelming for a young player with potential.
However, in hindsight, the trade appears to have been a major win for New England. Since joining the Chiefs, Uche has played in five games but managed just two total tackles and no other noteworthy statistics. According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic (via All Chief’d Up! on X), Kansas City is reportedly moving on from Uche, with Taylor expressing doubt that Uche will play in a Chiefs uniform again.
This outcome is surprising, as many expected Uche to excel in Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive system, but his performance has fallen far short of expectations. As a result, Uche’s value heading into free agency has taken a significant hit. Unless a team is willing to take a bold gamble on his potential, he is unlikely to secure the lucrative contract he may have been aiming for.
For the Patriots, the trade now looks like a savvy move. They avoided potential disappointment and gained an additional pick in the 2026 draft, demonstrating foresight in a decision that was initially met with skepticism.
